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( 




THE 

HISTORY 

OF A 


POCKET PEAYEK BOOK. 


As to a form of prayer and ec- 
clesiastical rites, I highly ap- 
prove that it should be certain, 
from which it may not be law- 
ful for any minister to depart. 

John Calvin. 

Next to the Bible, the Book of 
Common Prayer is the book 
of my understanding, and of 
my heart. — D k. Adam Clarke. 




THE 


HISTORY 

•7 

OF A 

POCKET PRAYER BOOK, 

WRITTEN BY ITSELF. * 


GIVE ME THE PRAYERS OF MY MOTHER THE CHURCH J 
THERE BE NONE LIKE HERS. — GEORGE HERBERT. 


9 



THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND ENBARGED>-,^ 





Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 
1850, by Benjamin Dorr, in the Clerk’s Office of the 
District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



Deacon & Peterson, Printers, 
No. 66 S. Third Street. 


PREFACE 


TO THE THIRD REVISED EDITION. 

The following work, having passed through 
numerous editions, has now been revised by the 
author, and some new matter has been added, 
which, he trusts, will render it more accepta- 
ble and useful. He is encouraged in the hope 
that it has been, and will continue to be, an 
humble auxiliary in the cause of the Church, 
by the favourable notice which it has received 
from Church periodicals, at home and abroad ; 
and from the fact that it has been republished, 
within a few years, by the Church Society 
of the diocese of Toronto, in Canada ; who 
have given it the first place on their list of 
publications. But the most gratifying to his 
feelings is the commendation bestowed upon 
it by his estimable friend, the late Rev. Wil- 
liam Parker, of London ; who, for thirty-two 
1 * V 


VI 


PREFACE. 


years, was the faithful secretary of the vene- 
rable Society for Promoting Christian Know- 
ledge. As that friend has now gone to his 
rest, the author feels a melancholy satisfaction 
in recording, in this place, the following ex- 
tract from one of his letters ; 

^^Your History of a Pocket Prayer Book 
has long been a great favourite in my family. 
A copy of this very instructive little work was 
given some years ago by a pious clergyman of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United 
States of America, to my younger daughter, 
who is now the wife of the learned and excel- 
lent Chief Justice of New Zealand, the 
Honourable William Martin. In December 
last she sailed to join her husband, on board 
the Tomatin, in company with the Lord Bishop 
of New Zealand, his amiable lady, and a band 
of devoted clergymen, catechists, schoolmas- 
ters, &c. I have reason to believe that the 
judge and my dear daughter will zealously 


PREFACE. 


Vll 


co-operate with the bishop in every good 
work ; and that she has been much encour- 
aged to do so by the perusal of your little 
History.’’ 

These hopeful anticipations of a pious parent 
have been fulfilled. Since the above extract 
was first printed, the author has received most 
interesting letters from Chief Justice Martin 
and his excellent lady, dated New Zealand, 
November, 1847, showing their devotedness 
to the cause of missions among the benighted 
people of that far-off island, and their united 
co-operation with their admirable bishop in 
his laborious work. A passage occurs in 
Mrs. Martin’s letter, in reference to the pre- 
sent volume, which may appropriately follow 
that from the pen of her lamented father : 

‘‘Your little book, which interested me so 
much when I read it as a girl, has now been 
again and again read in New Zealand. I have 
lent it to many people, young and old, rich 


viii 


PREFACE. 


and poor, and all have returned it with ex- 
pressions of real satisfaction. The History of 
a Pocket Prayer Book is just the class of 
hooks needed here. We have most of us been 
parted from family ties and loving associa- 
tions ; and we must have church membership 
to draw and bind together hearts which other- 
wise seem to find no resting place. I am sure 
that the full blessing of our liturgical services 
grows continually more present to our minds, 
as we find ourselves separated from all the 
familiar and early associations of home and 
kindred. In the midst of strange scenes, on 
the sea or in a new land, we hear the words 
that comforted and taught us long ago ; and 
we feel no longer exiles from those who remain 
behind. The loved ones for whom we so wept, 
that we should see their faces no more, are 
still with us in spirit, repeating the same 
prayers, offering the same thanksgivings, join- 
ing in the same high communion.” 


PREFACE. 


IX 


In preparing this volume for the press, the 
author’s chief object is to recommend, in a 
plain familiar way, the doctrines and usages 
of his own church ; and in doing this, he de- 
sires to maintain and set forward, as much 
as in him lies, quietness, peace, and love, 
among all Christian people.” He thinks, with 
that humble and holy man of God, good old 
Richard Hooker, that there will come a 
time, when three words uttered with charity 
and meekness, shall receive a far more blessed 
reward, than three thousand volumes written 
with disdainful sharpness of wit and he de- 
sires always to speak and write under this 
conviction. 

The chief recommendation of the present 
work is, that it is based mainly upon facts ; 
most of the scenes and incidents having actual- 
ly occurred, at the time and in the manner as 
here related ; and many of them having come 
under the personal observation of the author. 


X 


PREFACE. 


A few of the scenes are purely imaginary ; that 
in chapter fourteenth is one; the narrative 
there being designed to exhibit the advantage 
of the Prayer Book to the convicts in our pri- 
sons. The story of the Congregational minis- 
ter, in chapter third, is taken from Chandler’s 
life of Dr. Johnson. The account of the mis- 
sionary, in chapter sixth, is in the main literal- 
ly true. The conversation, in chapter twelfth,, 
is given almost word for word as it occurred. 
The history of the layman, in chapter thir- 
teenth, and his successful efforts in building 
up a church, are true to the letter. The cha- 
racter of the benevolent widow, in chapter 
fifteenth, is a faithful portrait of one of the 
most humble and devoted Christians, now no 
more, that the present age has been blessed 
with. The scene on board the steamboat, in 
chapter sixteenth, is slightly varied from a 
narrative given by an intimate friend of the 
young man there mentioned, whose family be- 


PREFACE. 


XI 


longed to the author’s parish ; and the obituary- 
notice, with which the chapter closes, is taken 
from a Charleston paper, published at the time 
of his decease. The seventeenth chapter is 
added to this edition, to render the work more 
useful to seamen. The author’s visit to Oneida 
Castle, in company wdth Bishop Hobart, as 
related in chapter eighteenth, and his subse- 
quent visit to Green Bay, are both given with 
an exact adherence to actual circumstances. 
Many other scenes and incidents, founded on 
facts, have been woven into the history ; and 
it is believed that nothing will be found in the 
following pages, which does not come within 
the limits of reasonable probability. 

If any apology is necessary for introducing 
the Prayer Book as its own historian, the au- 
thor can only say, that he thought it the easiest 
and best method of imparting interest to the 
whole subject ; and that he had many excel- 
lent precedents to justify him. Such fictions 


XU 


PEEFACE. 


haye oftentimes been profitably employed in 
conveying instruction. 

The author now sends this little volume 
abroad into the world, with fervent prayers 
that the divine blessing may go with it ; and 
in the humble hope that it may be instrumen- 
tal, in some degree, in directing those who are 
seeking for ^‘the old paths,’’ into that good 
and right way,” which leadeth to everlasting 
life. Benjamin Dorr. 

Philadelphia, April 18 , 1850 . 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

CHAPTER 1 19 

Reasons for writing this History,^The Prayer 
Book’s Ancestors. — Their Persecutions.— When 
and where first introduced to the world. 

CHAPTER II. 27 

A Christmas Present. — Family Prayers. — 
Christmas Day. — Decoration of the Church. — 

The Sermon. — How the rest of the day was 
passed. 

CHAPTER III. - - - - - - 37 

Confirmation. — The Prayer Book falls into the 
hands of a Congregational Minister. — The use 
he makes of it. — Prepares to take Orders in the 
Church. — Gives his Prayer Book to an Emigrant. 

CHAPTER IV 45 

Travels in Western New York. — An Emigrant’s 
Life. — A Union Church. — Lay Reading. 

2 xiii 


XIV 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

CHAPTER V. - 57 

Lay Reading continued. — Religious dissensions 
among the various sects. — Accessions to the 
Church. 

CHAPTER VI. - - 63 

Arrival of an Episcopal Minister. — Father N — , 
the Missionary. — Divine Service. — Baptism. — 

The Sermon. — Holy Communion. 

CHAPTER VII. 79 

Church built. — Visit of another Missionary, the 
Rev. D. Phelps. — His character. — Church Con- 
secrated. — Confirmation. 

CHAPTER VIII - 89 

Visit of the Rev. Mr. P . — His kindness to 

Children. — The Prayer Book resumes its travels 
with him. — Joy at Mr. P ’s return. — Descrip- 
tion of his residence. — He visits his parishioners. 

— Their affection for him. 

CHAPTER IX 99 

Character of Mr. P . — Importance of paro- 
chial Visitation. — Sunday-school Instruction. — 
Qualifications of Teachers. — Public Catechising. 


CONTENTS. 


XV 


Page. 

CHAPTER X. - - ... 107 

A new acquaintance. — A candid inquirer after 
** the old paths.^^ — The Prayer Book passes into 
other hands. — Prejudices against the Church, re- 
sulting from ignorance of her Character and 
Claims. — Episcopal Theologians. — Eloquent tri- 
bute of a Presbyterian Divine to Episcopacy. 

CHAPTER XI. 123 

Doctrines of the Church. — Necessity of a change 
of heart. — Comprehensiveness of the Prayer Book. 

— Advantages of Public Formularies. — Calvin’s 
opinion on this subject. — Length of the Daily Ser- 
vice. 

CHAPTER XII 137 

The Prayer Book is sent by Mr. L , a pre- 

sent to his Mother. — His letter. — How received 
by the good lady. — Her prejudices against the 
Church. — How removed. — An interesting Con- 
versation. — Undesigned eulogium on the Office for 
Family Devotion. 

CHAPTER XIII 151 

The Prayer Book resumes its travels. — Autum- 
nal Scenery. — Journey through Ohio and Pennsyl- 


xvi 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

vania.— Mineral Springs at B . — Church ser- 
vice in a Presbyterian house of worship. — Re- 
turns to New York. — Unexpected separation from 
its master. — Comes into possession of a layman. — 
Witnesses the gathering of a new congregation, 
and the erection of another Church, in South- 
western New York. 

CHAPTER XIV. 163 

Unlooked-for separation. — A young Convict. — 
Form of Prayer for the Visitation of Prisoners. — 

A penitent Criminal. — Advantage of Prayer Books 
in our State Prison®. — The Convict released. 

CHAPTER XV. 177 

The Prayer Book again changes hands. — An 
aged Christian Widow. — Her character. — Acts of 
Charity. — Saturday-school for the Poor. 

CHAPTER XVI. 187 

The Prayer Book is presented to a Clergyman, 
who resigns his parish on account of ill health. — 

His last Sermon. — Leaves home for the South. — 

Sail down the Hudson. — Early Reminiscences. — 
Steamboat Adventure. — Eloquent defence of the 
Church. — Obituary notice of the Rev. Mr. N . 


CONTENTS. 


xvii 


Page. 

CHAPTER XVII. 203 

The Prayer Book is given to a Sailor. — Good 
Advice. — Forms of Prayer to be used at Sea. — 
Mariner’s Church. — Sailor’s Home. — Voyage to 
Liverpool. — Daily service on ship-board. — Return 
Voyage. — Sickness and Death. — Burial at Sea. 

CHAPTER XVIII 223 

Visit to the Oneida Indians, in New York. — 
Interesting religious services among them. — Con- 
firmation. — Communion. — An Indian Council. — 

The Liturgy admirably adapted to the circum- 
stances of the heathen. — Duty of Christians in re- 
ference to the Indian tribes. 

CHAPTER XIX 235 

Oneidas at Green Bay. — Prayer Book’s exten- 
sive travels. — Interesting statistics of the Church. 

— Tour through the Southern and South-western 
States. — Bishop of Tennessee. — Interesting anec- 
dotes of him, and of the Bishop of North Carolina. 

CHAPTER XX 243 

Tour through the great Lakes to the Wiscon- 
sin Territory. — Diocese of New York; its rapid 
growth. — Detroit ; prosperity of the Church there. 

2 * 


xviii 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

— ^Mackinac; lay reading by an Officer of the 
Fort. — Green Bay Mission School. — Oneida In- 
dians at Duck Creek. — Their zeal and liberality. 

— Bishop of Michigan’s visit to them. — The Pray- 
er Book finishes its travels, and settles quietly 
down in a parish. 

CHAPTER XXL 255 

The more the Liturgy is studied, the more it 
will be prized. — Testimony of the Rev. Adam 
Clarke. — The Prayer Book’s parting advice. — 
Concluding reflections. 


THE HISTORY 


OF A 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 

CHAPTER I. 

Reasons for writing this History. — The Prayer Book’s 
Ancestors. — Their Persecutions. — When and where 
first introduced to the world. 

In giving my history to the world, it is in 
justice due to myself to say, that I do it with 
a sincere desire of benefiting mankind. Having 
had much experience by travelling through 
various parts of our country, and, from my 
close intimacy with a great variety of persons, 
having obtained a deep insight into human 
character, the account of what I have seen 

and heard may serve to amuse and instruct 

19 


20 


THE HISTORY OF A 


my friends, and possibly do away some of the 
prejudices of such of my enemies as may 
chance to read this brief memoir. 

I am descended from an ancient and noble 
family, which can be traced back to the first 
years of the Christian era. My ancestors 
were eminent for their piety and learning, and 
especially for their thorough acquaintance with, 
and deep reverence for, the Holy Scriptures ; 
and for many hundred years have borne a 
conspicuous part in all the great events which 
have taken place in the Christian Church, as 
all ecclesiastical history will show. They 
were particularly distinguished in England, 
during that highly interesting and important 
period called the Reformation; and numbered 
among their warmest friends, the Cranmers, 
the Latimers, and the Ridleys, of that day. 
The part they then took was marked by sound 
sense and discretion, as well as by fervent 
piety and zeal. They became, in fact, the 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


21 


glory of the Reformation; and have ever 
since been considered the most able defenders 
of the Protestant cause, and the most success- 
ful opposers of heresy and error, in all Chris- 
tendom. Yet, notwithstanding they have 
done so much for the support and diffusion 
of pure religion, they have often met with 
violent abuse from persons of weak minds, 
who had been taught to look upon them as 
dangerous heretics; but those old prejudices 
have happily worn away, and the meed of 
praise is now awarded them, by those who 
were loudest in their censures, as their virtues 
and services become better known. 

Some of my ancestors came over to this 
country, from England, soon after the settle- 
ment of America ; but, being few in number, 
and strangers in the land,’’ they suffered se- 
verely from their Puritanical predecessors, 
who, in destroying them, thought they did 
God service.” Those who came out some 


22 


THE HISTORY OF A 


years after, under the patronage of the So- 
ciety for propagating the Gospel in foreign 
parts, met with somewhat better success; 
but they also had many powerful and bigoted 
enemies, who regarded them as mere formal- 
ists in religion, and as no better than Popish 
refugees. They formed, it is true, a distinct 
class of worshippers, adhering to their ancient 
usages, and not choosing to forsake the old 
paths,’ ^ wherein their forefathers had walked, 
for every new and eccentric by-way. The 
consequence was, although they were disposed 
to be quiet and peaceable, and not to interfere 
‘^in other men’s matters,” yet their strange 
forms and ceremonies were ridiculed, and 
they themselves were every where spoken 
against.” Such was the hostility to the festi- 
vals and holy days which my ancestors had 
observed from time immemorial, that in one 
of the New England states it was enacted, 
that whosoever should be found observing 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


23 


any such day as Christmas and the like, either 
by forbearing labour, feasting, or any other 
way, upon such an account as aforesaid, every 
such person, so offending, should pay for every 
such offence, five shillings as a fine to the 
county.’^* 

When the disturbances between this country 
and England broke out, my ancestors, who 
happened to be of English origin, suffered 
more than ever from the persecuting spirit of 
their enemies. Their religion being the same 
with that of the national Church of England, 
it was absurdly argued that their attachment 
must extend to the English government and 
laws. Intelligent and truly pious men saw, 
indeed, that the connexion of my family with 
the Church of England was purely accidental, 
and that they might, notwithstanding such 
connexion, zealously espouse the American 


* Law of Massachusetts in 1651. 


24 


THE HISTORY OF A 


cause, and resolutely resist British oppression 
and wrong. Indeed, one of the best friends 
my ancestors ever had in this country, and 
one who always spoke of them with reverence 
and esteem, was himself the leader of the 
American armies — the virtuous, the high- 
minded, the immortal Washington. He had 
been brought up in the Episcopal Church, and 
was a constant and devout attendant upon her 
services. The common people, however, were 
incapable of discriminating between rational 
formularies of devotion, and the mass-book of 
the Romish Church ; or between an innocent 
conformity to the religious usages of England, 
and an approval of the part she was taking in 
relation to her colonies. My forefathers, 
therefore, were indiscriminately branded as 
tories,” and were either obliged to lie con- 
cealed, or flee the country. Most of them 
went back to England. Some few remained ; 
and were it not foreign from my present pur- 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


25 


pose, I could relate many amusing anecdotes 
of the abuse and violence poured upon them, 
during the stormy period of the revolution. 
I say amusing, for at this late day such stories 
would wear the air of fiction ; and are only 
calculated to excite a smile, although the con- 
sequences were serious enough at the time. 

Peace with the mother country brought 
some respite to the persecutions with which 
my ancestors had been assailed ; many of those 
who had fled during the troubles, returned 
again to America, with a reasonable prospect 
of sitting down quietly to worship God, as the 
Apostles and primitive Church, and their own 
immediate forefathers, had worshipped Him. 

It was my good fortune to come into the 
world about this time. My earliest recollec- 
tion goes back about sixty years, when I dis- 
tinctly remember being placed for sale on a 
bookseller’s shelf, in the town of H , in 

the state of Connecticut. This must have 

3 


26 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 

been in the year of our Lord 1790; for I well 
recollect hearing a great deal said about the 
Convention which had met the year before, 
for the purpose of revising the Liturgy ; and 
I myself am one of the revised copies of the 
Book of Common Prayer, set forth by that 
Convention. 


CHAPTER II. 


A Christmas Present. — Family Prayers. — Christmas 
Day. — Decoration of the Church. — The Sermon. — 
How the rest of the day was passed. 

I HAD not been many weeks on the book- 
seller’s shelf, when one very cold day, in the 
month of December, a well-dressed middle- 
aged man, with a most benevolent counte- 
nance, came into the shop and said he wished 
to purchase some Christmas presents for his 
children. My master immediately spread out 
upon the counter all his variety of story and 
picture books, from which the stranger select- 
ed several of a religious and instructive cha- 
racter, and then asked to look at some Pocket 
Bibles and Prayer Books. These were ac- 
cordingly handed down, and after examining 
them, to see that the binding was good, and 
the volumes perfect in all their parts, the gen- 

27 


28 


THE HISTORY OF A 


tieman made choice of me, and also of a neat 
little Pocket Bible, similarly bound, saying, as 
he wrapped them up, they would be a suitable 
Christmas gift for his little daughter; then 
bidding the bookseller Good morning,’^ he 
walked out of the shop. 

Never shall I forget my first interview with 
the good gentleman’s family. He had many 
miles to ride, and it was the evening preceding 
Christmas day when he reached home. The 
children all ran out to meet him, and the little 
ones were very inquisitive to know what he 
had brought them for their holiday presents. 
His wife kindly assisted him to lay off his 
outer coat, and then placed a chair for him by 
the blazing hearth. Soon they gathered around 
the social tea-table, as cheerful and happy a 
circle as ever met at the same family board. 
After tea the presents were unpacked and 
spread out before the glistening and delighted 
eyes of the children. There vrere various 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


29 


kinds of toys, and for each child a book 
adapted to its age and understanding. One 
of the daughters, a little girl about eleven 
years old, looked somewhat disconcerted when 
she saw all her brothers and sisters receiving 
presents, and none appeared designed for her- 
self ; but her countenance brightened up when 
her father presented her with the Pocket Bible 
and Prayer Book, saying, Here, Louisa, is 
the best present I can make you. These two 
books ought always to go together. Let them 
be your inseparable companions. Let the one 
be the rule and guide of your life, and let the 
other regulate your daily devotions. The one, 
by God’s grace, which you are diligently to 
seek for by humble prayer, will be ^ a lamp 
unto your feet, and a light unto your path it 
will make you wise unto salvation ; the other 
will enable you to offer up your prayers in 
language pure, fervent, and scriptural, to your 

Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier ; it will en- 
3 * 


30 


THE HISTORY OF A 


/ 


able you to ^ pray with the spirit, and with the 
understanding also.’ Never, my child, neglect 
the use of these precious volumes, as you value 
my favour, the quiet of your own conscience, 
and the approbation of your God.” 

Little Louisa’s heart was so full that she 
could not speak, and she only dropped a cour- 
tesy in token of her gratitude for the gift, and 
her determination to abide by her father’s pious 
counsel. 

At the usual hour, the family and servants 
were all assembled for social worship, pre- 
vious to their retiring to rest. The father read 
a chapter from the old family Bible, and my 
young mistress looked over in her new pocket 
volume. All then knelt down, when Mr. 

B , for that was the name of this good 

man, read the excellent form of Family 
Prayer from the Liturgy, with a fervour of ex- 
pression, which plainly told that his heart felt 
what his lips uttered. This I found was his 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


31 


universal practice, both morning and evening ; 
having long before adopted the resolution of 
the pious Israelite, that he and his house would 
serve the Lord. All the family repeated after 
him the Lord’s prayer in an audible voice, and 
responded ^^Amen,” at the end of each col- 
lect. It thus appeared that they, too, were 
attentive to the solemn duties in which they 
were engaged. 

When Louisa B retired to her chamber 

for the night, she took her Bible and Prayer 
Book with her, and having read a chapter from 
the former, and repeated several collects, from 
the latter, in addition to her customary prayers, 
she went to bed and slept soundly until 
morning. 

The next day being Christmas, the family 
rose early to prepare for church, which was 
three or four miles distant. The children were 
running about, as soon as the day dawned, with 
bright smiling faces and rosy cheeks, wishing 


32 


THE HISTORY OF A 


each other a merry Christmas.” After fa- 
mily worship had been performed, and the 
breakfast was over, the little ones were dressed 
in their warm holiday suits, and the whole fa- 
mily set out in a sleigh for church ; my young 
mistress taking me and my more honourable 
companion with her. 

The church was a neat little building embo- 
somed in a grove of trees, which in summer 
afforded a refreshing shade; but now, from 
their leafless boughs, numberless icicles hung 
glittering in the morning sun. The interior 
of the church presented a delightful contrast 
to the winter desolation which reigned without. 
It was tastefully adorned with evergreens, ac- 
cording to the ancient custom of embellishing 
churches ; for the Saviour’s advent seems to be 
alluded to in that beautiful passage of the 
evangelical prophet : The glory of Lebanon 
(the cedar,) shall come unto thee, the fir-tree, 
the pine-tree, and the box-tree together, to 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


33 


beautify the place of my sanctuary and 
also in that other expression of the same pro- 
phet, I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, 
the shittah-tree, and the myrtle, and the oil- 
tree ; I will set in the desert the fir-tree, and 
the pine-tree, and the box-tree together.^f 
These, and many similar passages to be met 
with in the prophets, led the Jews to expect 
the Messiah’s advent about the time of the 
winter solstice, or the 25th of December ; and 
hence arose the custom of decorating churches 
with evergreens on that holy day. 

The services of the day were interesting and 
impressive ; the church was filled with worship- 
pers : and although many, from the different 
denominations in the neighbourhood, were no 
doubt drawn there by motives of curiosity, yet 
all appeared attentive and devotional. When 
the minister read the lessons, my young mis- 
tress opened her Bible, and followed him 


* Isa. lx. 13. 


flsa. xli. 19. 


34 


THE HISTORY OF A 


through them with the most careful attention. 
When other parts of the service were perform- 
ed, she made diligent and familiar use of me ; 
behaving throughout with the strictest pro- 
priety and decorum ; uttering every response 
in an audible voice ; kneeling when the con- 
fession and prayers were offered up, and stand- 
ing when the creed, and anthems, and psalms, 
were read or sung. 

The sermon was a plain and practical dis- 
course, adapted to the occasion, setting forth 
the blessings of the Messiah’s advent, the ne- 
cessity of all mankind’s being born anew in 
Christ Jesus, or vain would it be for them that 
he was born into the world ; and exhorting to 
the cultivation of all those virtues and graces, 
which alone could make that day a day of 
jubilee to the Christian, and enable him, in 
the fervour of thankfulness, to say, My soul 
doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit re- 
joiceth in God my Saviour.” 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


35 


After the morning services were ended, the 
people flocked around their beloved pastor, and 
there were cordial shaking of hands, and mu- 
tual congratulations for being permitted to 
meet on that holy day, with warm wishes for 
many happy returns to all of them, of the 
blessed festival. My mistress went with her 
parents and brothers and sisters, to spend the 
rest of the day at her grandfather’s, who lived 
in an adjoining town ; where, according to the 
good old custom, the whole of this patriarch’s 
family were assembled, to the third and fourth 
generation. The afternoon and evening passed 
in rational and joyous festivity ; in that de- 
lightful social intercourse which the poet 
Southey so beautifully describes, in the fol- 
lowing lines, on an English Christmas holi- 
day;— 

Brightly o’er the cheerful hall 
Beams the heaped hearth, and friends and kindred meet ; 
And the glad mother, round her festive board. 


36 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 

Beholds her children, separated long 
Amid the world’s wide way, assembled now, 

And, at the sight, affection lightens up 

With smiles, the eye that age hath long bedimm’d.” 

Thus pleasantly passed the first day with my 
dear little Louisa, with whom I became more 
and more delighted, because she seemed to be 
daily more and more fond of me, as my sub- 
sequent history will show. 


CHAPTER HI. 


Confirmation. — The Prayer Book falls into the hands of 
a Congregational Minister. — The use he makes of it. — 
Prepares to take orders in the Church. — Gives his 
Prayer Book to an emigrant. 

Louisa B had been carefully educated 

by her pious parents, who remembered the ad- 
monition of the wise king of Israel — Train 
up a child in the way he should go, and when 
he is old he will not depart from it.” At that 
time there were no Sunday-schools established ; 
but her parents always heard her recite a les- 
son on a Sunday morning, and she often after- 
wards repeated it to the minister of the parish, 
after the evening service. When I first came 
into her possession she knew all the Catechism, 
and many of the Collects by heart ; and be- 
fore I left her she could repeat them all, and 

had learned the greater part of the Epistles 

4 37 


38 


THE HISTORY OF A 


and Gospels. Nor were these truths fixed in 
her memory only ; they were evidently im- 
pressed by divine grace upon her heart, and 
exercised a salutary influence over her life. 

I remained with her three years; during 
which time, by the divine blessing on parental 
instruction, she grew in grace, as she grew in 
age, and became a truly lovely and pious child. 
When she was little more than fourteen years 

of age. Bishop S held a confirmation in 

the parish, and Louisa was admitted to that 
sacred rite ; not merely because she was old 
enough to say her catechism ; but because, in 
the estimation of her pastor, who took unwea- 
ried p^ins to fit the young members of his con- 
gregation for this rite, she was well prepared 
to renew her Baptismal engagements. Louisa 
had been faithfully taught, by her pious mo- 
ther, how solemn was the vow which she was 
about to take upon herself, and exhorted to 
weigh the matter well, before she made this 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


39 


public and deliberate consecration of herself 
to God. The Sunday following she came for- 
ward to the Holy Communion, and during the 
few months afterwards, in which I remained 
with her, she was ever careful to walk wor- 
thy of the high vocation wherewith she was 
called To her parents she was always dutiful, 
and to her brothers and sisters uniformly gen- 
tle and kind, and amiable and humble in her 
deportment towards all. These lovely vir- 
tues made her always cheerful and happy, 
and I have often mourned the day when we 
parted. 

Returning from Church one Sunday evening, 
with her Bible and Prayer Book wrapped up 
in her handkerchief, by some unlucky accident 
I slipped out, without her noticing it, and she 
walked on leaving me in the path. It was 
nearly dark when I fell from my young mis- 
tress’s hand, and I lay all night in the street. 
The next morning I was picked up by a vene- 


40 


THE HISTORY OF A 


rable looking man in black, who proved to 
be a Congregational clergyman, returning on 
horseback to his home in a remote part of the 
state. He hastily turned over my leaves, to 
ascertain the nature of his prize, and as he 
put me into his pocket and remounted his 
horse, I heard him say, “This is just the 
thing.’^ What he meant by “just the thing,’^ 
I had afterwards to learn ; but considering it 
at the time a compliment to myself, or at least 
an expression of good will, I felt no solicitude 
as to my future treatment, although I could 
not but regret being thus separated from my 
dear young mistress, who I knew would grieve 
when she discovered her loss. 

My new master, on his arrival at home, 
placed me upon his study table, and from that 
moment I was his daily companion. On Sa- 
turday evening, especially, he studied me with 
the closest attention ; and I the next day un- 
derstood what he meant by “just the thing,” 


POCKUT PRAYER BOOK. 


41 


when I found that he delivered from the pul- 
pit, those prayers which he learned from me. 
This I was pleased with, as it was an acknow- 
ledgment of my superior excellence. I after- 
wards learned that, although educated from 
childhood in the Congregational church, he 

never could be thoroughly reconciled to the 
practice of public extempore praying and 
preaching, which he looked upon as the great 
engines of enthusiasm. When at college, he 
had conceived an aversion to extempore pray- 
ers, by observing the use that was made of 
them there, and the tendency of this practice 
to promote self-conceit and spiritual pride.”* 
While I remained with him, he went on in 
the discharge of parochial duties, not appear- 
ing to vary from the customs of the country. 
As to his prayers, he commonly made use of 
forms, which he provided for himself in the 

* Chandlers’s Life of Dr. Johnson, first President of 
King’s College, New York, p. 18. 

4 * 


42 


THE HISTORY OF A 


best manner he could, and chiefly out of the 
Liturgy.’^^ 

Soon after I became an inmate of his study, 
his reading was chiefly the works of standard 
Episcopal divines, especially the writers on 
ecclesiastical polity, and on the doctrines and 
ministry of the church. He soon began to 
entertain doubts of the validity of his ordina- 
tion ; and after some months of patient perse- 
vering study, with many fervent prayers for 
the divine guidance, he resolved to apply for 
orders in the Episcopal Church. It was pain- 
ful, indeed, to leave the church of his fathers ; 
the people, too, to whom he was bound by so 
many endearing ties, and whom he had reason 
to believe were devotedly attached to him, 
and to go an entire stranger into another fold ; 
but duty prompted him to this course ; and 
duty, with him was paramount to every selfish 


* Chandler’s Life of Dr. Johnson, p. 22. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


43 


consideration. When Mr. J took leave 

of his people, whom he greatly loved, he affec- 
tionately told them that if they could see rea- 
son to conform to the Episcopal Church, he 
would never leave them ; but after obtaining 
such ordination as he thought to be necessary, 
that he would return to them again in the 
character of their minister. But with such 
an offer they were unable to comply, notwith- 
standing their esteem for him. He expostu- 
lated with them, and urged them seriously to 
consider the matter. Among other things he 
said, that they had hitherto professed to ad- 
mire his preaching, and especially his prayers. 
And, indeed, his prayers were so much admired 
by people in general, that it was common for 
persons belonging to the neighbouring parishes 
to come to his church, on purpose to hear 
them. Now he told them that his instructions 
and prayers had all along been taken from the 
Episcopal Church ; and that they ought to be 


44 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 

esteemed as much, after this circumstance was 
known, as they had been before. This decla- 
ration greatly surprised them; however, no 
more than four or five of them could then be 
reconciled to receive him in the orders of the 
church. After a few days, therefore, he took 
his final leave of them.”* Before leaving 
home, to obtain Episcopal ordination, my mas- 
ter presented me to a friend of his, a church- 
man, who was about removing with his family 
into the western part of the state of New 
York. My new master, a pious man, zealous- 
ly attached to the church of his ancestors, and 
regarding me, next to his Bible, as his richest 
treasure, shortly afterwards emigrated to those 
then western wilds, taking me with several of 
my companions along with him. As this is a 
most important period of my history, I may 
be permitted to dwell more minutely upon it. 


* Chandler’s Life of Dr. Johnson, p. 32. 


CHAPTER IV. 


The Prayer Book travels to Western New York. — An 

Emigrant’s Life. — A Union Church. — Lay Reading. 

It was a bright sunny morning in spring, 

when my master, Mr. M , with his family, 

reached the spot where he intended settling, 
and where he expected to spend the remainder 
of his days. The trees had just put forth 
their leaves, and stood arrayed in their richest 
green; the squirrel leaped from branch to 
branch, as if delighted with his liberty ; the 
red-breast, on the topmast bough of some lofty 
elm, poured forth his sweet and mellow notes ; 
all around the woods seemed instinct with life, 
and universal nature appeared to rejoice and 
sing. Yet, notwithstanding this gay and lively 
scene which surrounded them, I thought my 
master and mistress looked sad, though they 

strove to cheer each other with the prospect 

45 


46 


THE HISTORY OP A 


of future happiness. And well might they 
feel sorrowful ; for they had been compelled 
by pecuniary losses to leave the home of their 
infancy, with all its cherished endearments, 
their relatives and friends, the joys of social 
intercourse, which constituted the chief charm 
of life, the church in which they had been 
baptized and nurtured, and where they had 
often partaken of the bread of life ; these, to- 
gether with those thousand comforts and ad- 
vantages to be found in most of our New 
England towns, they had left behind, to go 
into a wilderness of woods, where there were 
no friends to cheer them in the loneliness of 
their dreary solitude, and where the sound 
of the church-going bell” was never heard. 

The place to which Mr. M came was 

a tract of new land, purchased in better days, 
but was now all that remained to him of a 
once ample fortune. A small house, built of 
logs, had been put up previous to his arrival ; 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


47 


and here he hoped, by patient and persevering 
industry, if his health was spared, to provide 
a* competency for his family. He foresaw that 
it required many painful sacrifices, and much 
habitual self-denial, to fix himself down on 
such a spot for life ; yet he had learned,” 
with the Apostle, ^^in whatsoever state he 
was, therewith to be content.” 

I shall pass rapidly over the first few years 
of their residence in this place. Their time 
was occupied during the day, as that of all 
new settlers usually is, my master cutting 
down the trees, and clearing and cultivating 
the land ; my mistress attending to the do- 
mestic duties within doors, like the virtuous 
woman” commended by Solomon, seeking 
wool and flax, and working willingly with 
her hands,” and looking well to the ways of 
her household.”* In the evening Mr. M 


* Prov. xxxi. 13, 27* 


48 


THE HISTORY OF A 


read some instructive book aloud, or heard the 
lessons of the children, who, having no school 
to attend, were educated, as well as circum- 
stances would permit, under the immediate 
tuition of their parents. Every morning and 
evening the whole family were assembled for 
domestic worship; when my master usually 
read a chapter in the Bible, and then the form 
of prayer for families, or some of the collects ; 
for he considered it the duty of vcvery Chris- 
tian, to begin each day with prayer to Al- 
mighty God for his blessing and protection 
through the day, and to end it with thanks- 
giving for mercies received, and supplications 
for guardianship, through the dangers of the 
night, by Him who neither slumbers nor 
sleeps.’^ On Sundays, he always read the re- 
gular morning and evening prayers, together 
with the appointed lessons, and a sermon ; the 
rest of the day was given to self-examination 
and private devotion, to innocent and cheerful 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


49 


conversation, and to the religious instruction 
of his family. 

Thus passed the first few years of their re- 
sidence in this new country ; yet each season 
saw great changes and improvements making 
around them. Several families of emigrants 
moved in, and these were followed by others, 
in rapid succession, so that in three or four 
years there was quite a hamlet ; and a small 
public building had been erected, which served 
as school-house and church, and was always 
occupied for the latter purpose, whenever a 
missionary of any denomination happened to 
travel that way. During this period, my 
master, who was a man of exemplary piety, 
was often sent for to pray by the bed-side of 
the sick and dying, and sometimes to read the 
burial service over the graves of the departed ; 
on which occasions I was always his compa- 
nion. 

When my master had been about five years 

5 


50 


THE HISTORY OF A 


in this new situation, the place put on quite 
the appearance of a flourishing village. He 
had exchanged his log house for one of more 
comfortable dimensions, and of a more respect- 
able exterior, and all his worldly affairs seem- 
ed to be going on as prosperously as he could 
wush. 

But there was one subject, which weighed 
heavily upon his mind, and which was the 
almost constant theme of conversation with 
his wife when they were alone ; it was the 
church of his fathers. How to get it planted 
in that western land was now his greatest so- 
licitude. Often have I seen the big tear roll 
down his cheek, while talking with his family 
of those blissful days, when they could go ^^to 
the house of God in company and then as 
he contrasted those blessed privileges which 
they once enjoyed, with their present destitu- 
tion of the sacred ordinances, he would ex- 
claim, in the fervent language of the Psalmist, 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


51 


0 how amiable are thy dwellings, thou Lord 
of Hosts ! — My soul hath a desire and longing 
to enter into the courts of the Lord.^^ If I 
forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand 
forget her cunning ; yea, if I prefer not Jeru- 
salem above my chief joy.’^ 

For five long years he had not seen an 
Episcopal clergyman; and his views of the 
sacred office would not permit him to receive 
the communion fram persons not Episcopally 
ordained ; although he had great respect for 
their piety and zeal, and often-times derived 
much benefit from their religious instruction. 
Frequently, when a Methodist, or Presbyte- 
rian, or Baptist minister had preached in the 
village school-house, he had been to hear him ; 
but to stand and hear a prayer was not, to 
him, like praying from the Liturgy ; and he 
always came home, more anxious than ever 
to introduce among his neighbours that pure, 
scriptural and rational formulary, to which 


52 


THE HISTORY OF A 


he had been accustomed from earliest child- 
hood. 

He saw that other denominations were ra- 
pidly gaining ground, while nothing had been 
done for that of his own. Already a subscrip- 
tion was in circulation for building a ^^Union’^ 
Church, as it is called, to accommodate all 
sects ; but when it was presented to Mr. M — , 
he declined giving any thing, candidly saying 
that he did not approve of this amalgamating 
system, which, however pure the motives of 
those with whom the plan originated, far from 
producing quietness, peace, and love, among 
all Christian people, too often ended in con- 
fusion and every evil work.’’ He said he had 
often seen the experiment tried, but had never 
known it to succeed well ; and that, for his 
part, he would much rather each denomination 
would build a house of worship for themselves, 
though it were of logs, than to unite in erect- 
ing the most costly edifice, and afterwards dis- 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK, 


53 


pute about the right of occupancy. He fur- 
ther told them, that in the present instance 
he must decline subscribing to their Union’^ 
Church on another ground. Although he could 
bid ^^God speed” to every proper effort to ex- 
tend the kingdom of the Redeemer, yet his 
conscientious preference was for the Episcopal 
Church, and he must reserve all his means to 
introduce and sustain that, which he hoped 
soon to see established there. I was with my 
master at this time, for he generally carried 
me in his pocket, and I listened with pleasure 
to these remarks because they so exactly met 
my own views. Although he was accused of 
maintaining narrow notions, and of being des- 
titute of that liberality which it is so much the 
fashion of the present age to extol, he paid 
no attention to these reproaches, but continued 
inflexible to his purpose. The same evening 
I saw he looked more thoughtful than usual, 

and when the family had retired to rest I heard 
5 ^ 


54 


THE HISTORY OF A 


him say to Mrs. M , whom he always con- 

sulted in cases of difficulty, Harriet, my 
dear, they are about building a meeting-house 
in town for the accommodation of all denomi- 
nations, and I have declined contributing, as I 
have no doubt it will cause serious disturb- 
ances in our little village. I should like to see 
each denomination of Christians have a house 
of worship of its own ; for I believe charity 
would thereby be best preserved, and pure re- 
ligion best promoted. As far as my experience 
goes, there is always most harmony and Chris- 
tian love, when those who differ in religious 
opinions keep perfectly distinct ; and each sect 
manages its own religious affairs in its own 
way. We are too few and too poor to erect 
a building for ourselves. But I have a plan 
in my head, which I hope you will approve. 
I will have a church in my own house. There 
are now several Episcopal families within a 
few miles of us, and one or two in the village. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


55 


all of wbom will gladly unite with us ; and 
we will meet every Sunday, when I will read 
the service and a sermon. That large un- 
finished room up stairs will probably hold 
more persons than we can ever collect. But 
who can tell what good may grow out of this 
small beginning, with the divine blessing upon 
our efforts ? It will not, I know, be so plea- 
sant to meet in this way, as to have a church 
and minister, such as we left in New England ; 
but we can plead the example of those primi- 
tive Christians who assembled ^in an upper 
room, where prayer was wont to be made.’ 
And we have, moreover, the blessed promise 
of our Redeemer, ‘Where two or three are 
gathered together in my name, there am I in 
the midst of them.’ 

Mrs. M was delighted with the plan ; 

and the next morning my master mounted his 


* Matt, xviii. 20. 


56 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 

horse, and rode round to see the few families 
of church people in his neighbourhood, all of 
whom expressed pleasure at his proposals, and 
agreed to meet at his house every Sunday, 
when circumstances would permit. 


CHAPTER V. 


Lay Reading continued. — Religious Dissensions among 
the various Sects. — Accessions to the Church. 

Sunday came — a bright cloudless day in 
autumn — and at the appointed ’ hour the few 
Episcopalians, who had been apprized of the 
arrangement, ^^were with one accord in one 
place.” About twenty persons, besides my 
master’s family, assembled in the large upper 
room,” bringing their Prayer Books wuth them 
and uniting in the service with the greatest 
apparent devotion. Mr. M read the morn- 

ing prayers, together with the lessons and a 
sermon; he however omitted the absolution 
and benediction, which he rightly thought 
none but a clergyman was authorized to pro- 
nounce. After an intermission of an hour 
they again met, and the evening service and a 

sermon were read ; the little flock then sepa- 

57 


58 


THE HISTORY OF A 


rated, much pleased and profited with the 
exercises of the day. This practice continued 
many months without interruption ; the same 
little company being gathered together, and 
now and then some of their more liberal- 
minded neighbours would join them. In the 
mean time the meeting-house was finished and 
occupied every Sunday alternately, by each of 
the different sects who had united in building 
it. Nothing happened to disturb the harmony 
of the village during the first year. Those who 
met at my master’s house on a Sunday, were 
looked upon as rather cold formalists in reli- 
gion ; but as no persons were more exemplary 
in their lives, more honest and upright in their 
dealings, more kind and charitable to the poor, 
or more ready and cheerful in discharging all 
the social duties, they were suffered to go on 
quietly worshipping God in their own way. 
But at the commencement of the second year 
disputes arose respectmg the meeting-house ; 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


59 


the various parties could not agree about the 
arrangement of their services, each party pro- 
secuted its own claims wdth intemperate 
warmth ; the bitterness of controversy extend- 
ed into the social circle, separated families, and 
alienated the hearts of friends ; but the result 
was, as might have been foreseen, the majority 
ruled, and the strongest party took the whole. 

He who knoweth how to bring good out 
of evil,” overruled these events so as to in- 
crease and strengthen that little band of faith- 
ful worshippers, who, amidst the turmoils and 
commotions around them, still pursued the 
even tenor of their way. Many of the most 
reflecting, sober-minded, and pious men quietly 
withdrew, and joined the little company at 

Mr. M ’s house. At first they disliked 

the forms, so new and strange to them ; but 
any thing seemed preferable to that scene of 
confusion and misrule which they had just left. 
They confessed that in the language of the 


60 


THE HISTORY OF A 


liturgy they could find nothing objectionable, 
for it was mostly composed in the very words 
of Scripture ; and the church, little as they 
knew of it, came strongly recommended by its 
uniformly steady, but unostentatious course, 
and the exemplary lives of those who were 
attached to her communion. They saw in it 
an ark of security and rest, a city at unity in 
itself,” where they could enter in and be safe 
from the troubles and dissensions, which, to 
the great grief of every pious mind, were de- 
stroying and rending asunder their own deno- 
minations. But they were sensible men, un- 
willing to take any thing upon trust, much less 
would they support any religious institutions, 
which were not clearly sanctioned by the word 
of God. Knowing that the Episcopal Church 
laid high claims to an apostolic ministry, and 
to apostolic usages, they set themselves to ex- 
amine the justness of her pretensions ; and, like 
the “noble” Bereans, they “searched the 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


61 


Scriptures daily, whether these things were 
so.’^ They came to the investigation with 
honest intentions, and minds open to convic- 
tion ; and the result of their inquiries was, a 
firm conviction that the church was scriptural 
in her doctrines, apostolic in her ministry, and 
pure and primitive in her worship. They then 
yielded all their powers, and put forth all their 
efforts, to maintain and defend her cause. The 
acquisition of such men was a matter of much 
joy to my dear master, and the more gratify- 
ing, because so unexpected ; neither he nor his 
associates ever having made undue exertions 
to gain proselytes. ^^He blessed God, and 
took courage,’’ from this accession to their 
strength. He now hoped, at no distant day, 
to see the church of his fathers firmly planted 
in that place, taking root downward, and 
bearing fruit upwards,” and spreading forth 
boughs like a goodly tree, with leaves for 



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CHAPTER VI. 


Arrival of an Episcopal Minister — Father N , the 

Missionary. — Divine Service. — Baptism. — The Ser- 
mon. — Holy Communion. 

About the time that the church began to 
assume a more flourishing appearance, as re- 
lated in the last chapter, an event occurred 
which seemed to infuse new life into its mem- 
bers and gave additional impulse to their efforts. 
This was the arrival of an Episcopal minister, 
the first who had ever visited that part of the 

country. The Rev. Mr. N , with the true 

spirit of a gospel missionary, had gone forth 
from his native state to seek Christ’s sheep 
which were scattered abroad with a deter- 
mination, as he said, not to build on another 
man’s foundation; ” and Providence directed 
his steps to the waste places” in our western 

land. He was then in the prime of life, meek, 

63 


64 


THE HISTORY OF A 


humble and pious ; possessing all the most im- 
portant requisites for a useful missionary of the 
cross, in our new settlements. Wherever he 
came it might be truly said, the wilderness 
and solitary places were glad for him,” for he 
was a faithful labourer in his Master’s vine- 
yard. His active and useful life was pro- 
longed, and he lived to behold the blessed 
fruits of his patient and persevering toil. The 
‘‘ bread which he cast upon the waters was 
found after many days the seed which he 
sowed with industry and care, blessed by di- 
vine grace, yielded an abundant harvest ; he 
even lived to see a little one become a thou- 
sand, and a small one a strong nation.” His 
age, his piety, his zeal, and above all his un- 
tiring devotion to the missionary cause, for 
almost forty years, gained for him the well- 

earned title of the venerable father N .” 

This faithful herald of the cross has now gone 
to his reward. His character and services are 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


65 


thus graphically portrayed by the Bishop of 
New York, in his annual address to his dio- 
cese. The venerable Daniel Nash, for nearly 
forty years a faithful missionary in the coun- 
ties of Otsego and Chenango, was about four 
months since, (1836,) taken to his rest. He 
received deacon’s orders from the first bishop 
of this diocese, and went immediately to the 
extensive field of labour in which with a per- 
severance and fidelity, wherein he set to his 
young brethren a most worthy example, he 
continued to the last. The face of the coun- 
try, the state of society, the congregations 
which he served, all underwent great changes ; 
but still the good man was there, faithful to 
his post, true to his obligations, and eminently 
useful in his labours. The young loved him, 
the mature confided in him, the aged sought 
in his counsels and example, right guidance 
in the short remainder of their pilgrimage. 
Parish after parish was built up on foundations 
6 # 


66 


THE HISTORY OF A 


laid by him. Younger brethren came in to 
relieve him of the more immediate charge ; 
but still the good old man was there, labour-l 
ing to the last among them ; and long after 
physical ability forbade very frequent public 
ministrations, he would go from house to 
house, gathering the inmates around the do- 
mestic altar ; giving great heed to that import- 
ant branch of pastoral duty, which he always 
loved, and in which he was eminently suc- 
cessful, catechising the children ; and having 
some word of warning, encouragement, re- 
proof, consolation, or edification, as each had 
need. It was so ordered in the course of 
Providence, that I was, soon after his decease, 
in the district of country which had so long 
been the scene of his faithful labours; and 
truly gratified was I to witness that best of 
testimonies to the virtues of the man, the 
Christian, and the pastor, which was found in 
the full hearts and the tender and venerated ex- 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


67 


pressions of the multitudes who, to use the 

A. ' 

affectionate epithet with which, for years, they 
had delighted to know him, had been bereft 
of good old father Nash.’^* 

* An affectionate tribute was recently paid to the me- 
mory of this good man, by the congregation of which he 
first had the pastoral care ; as the following notice from a 
Church periodical will show : — 

Father Nash. — This venerable minister of God was 
not gathered unto his people at the time of his death, 
owing to some circumstances beyond the control of his 
friends; though it was his often-expressed'wish, before he 
died, that his remains might moulder among those to 
whom he had ministered in life, and with those genera- 
tions to whose families he had offered the rites and con- 
solations of the church. This strong desire of their be- 
loved minister was borne in mind by the members of the 
different churches in the county, and on Wednesday, the 
31st ult. (Oct. 1838,) his remains, together with those of 
his wife and an infant child, were transported with devout 
solemnity, to the burial-ground of Christ Church, Coopers- 
town, Otsego county, New York, and re-interred under a 
beautiful pine, in one grave. It is the intention of the 
Episcopalians of the county, to place a tablet inscribed 


68 


THE HISTORY OF A 


But to return to my story; when Mr. 
N visited us, there was a general rejoic- 

ing among the Episcopalians, and preparations 
were immediately made for his preaching and 
administering the sacraments on the following 
day, which was Sunday. As the room in 
which they had usually met, at my master’s 
house, was barely large enough to accommo- 
date those who worshipped there, and was 
rather inconvenient on other accounts, it was 
thought best to procure the school-house on 
this occasion. 

Long before the hour appointed for divine 
service, the little building was crowded, and 
numbers went away for want of room. Some 
of these were doubtless attracted by mere cu- 
riosity to see the performance of religious 
ceremonies in a manner so new and strange ; 

to ^Father Nash,’ in the church of which he was the 
first rector, and to raise a decent monument over his 
grave.’^ 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


69 


but I have reason to believe that many who 
came with strong prejudices against the Church, 
returned home favourably impressed with the 
beauty and solemnity of her excellent formu- 
laries. The whole scene, to those more im- 
mediately interested in them, was exceedingly 
affecting. Many shed tears of joy ; and I 
heard one venerable old man say, as he pressed 
the hand of the clergyman when coming out 
of the house, that this was the happiest day of 
his life. To me the services never appeared 
half so interesting. The minister read the 
prayers in a clear, distinct, and impressive tone 
of voice, and with great seriousness of manner, 
as if he felt all that he uttered. When the 
responses were made, they seemed the fervent 
and pious ejaculations of Christian hearts, au- 
dibly poured forth as from one mouth. 

At the close of the second lesson, several 
parents came forward with their little ones, 
to present them for the holy ordinance of Bap- 


70 


THE HISTORY OF A 


tism ; and it was a moviag sight to behold the 
authorized ambassador of Christ’’ taking 
these young lambs of the flock, and after the 
example of his Divine Master, “embracing 
them in his arms, laying his hands upon them 
and blessing them,” and “ baptizing them in 
the adorable name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost and then sign- 
ing them with the blessed sign of the Cross, 
as a token of their being “faithful soldiers 
and servants,” who should never be afraid nor 
ashamed, to “ fight manfully under the ban- 
ner” of the Great Captain of their salvation. 
The solemn charge which he addressed to the 
sponsors, must have thrilled through their 
hearts. I looked around to see what efiect 
this part of the service had on those persons 
who had never before witnessed it, and I 
thought I saw a tear steal down the cheeks 
of several who stood near me ; probably at 
the recollection of their own baptismal en- 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


71 


gagements, and of the time when their pious 
parents brought them, in unconscious infancy, 
to the sacred font. Nor was it strange that 
they should weep at the remembrance of their 
own violated vows, when the minister pro- 
nounced those closing words; ^^Ye are to 
take care that these children be virtuously 
brought up, to lead a godly and a Christian 
life ; remembering always that Baptism doth 
represent unto us our profession ; which is to 
follow the example of our Saviour Christ, and 
to be made like unto Him ; that as he died, 
and rose again for us, so should we, w^ho 
are baptized, die from sin, and rise again 
unto righteousness ; continually mortifying all 
our evil and corrupt affections, and daily 
proceeding in all virtue and godliness of 
living.’’ 

The sermon was excellently well suited to 
the time and place ; it was from those com- 
forting words of our Saviour, ‘^Fear not, little 


72 


THE HISTORY OF A 


flock.’^* The preacher spoke of the many 
discouragements and difficulties which must 
always attend the introduction of a new man- 
ner of worship, so unlike as theirs was, to 
that of any of the sects around them. The 
prepossessions of men in favour of their own 
opinions, especially in matters of religion, he 
told them, w’ere deep-rooted and strong ; and 
when erroneous, it required patient and per- 
severing industry, aided by much mildness and 
prudence to overcome them. Other denomi- 
nations,’’ he continued, ^^are accustomed to 
extempore prayer, and many of them think it 
sinful to pray by a book. They have been 
taught, too, to regard Episcopalians as mere 
formalists. Let us pity their prejudices, and 
endeavour to remove them, in the spirit of 
Christian charity ; not forgetting that, although 
we differ on some essential points of doctrine 


* Luke xii. 32. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


73 


and worship, yet we are all brethren in Christ 
Jesus ; and we should treat them with cour- 
tesy and kindness, as those whom we hope to 
meet one day in that temple above, where all 
shall worship Jehovah with one heart and one 
mouth. Remember that the most effectual 
method of recommending and enforcing one’s 
own peculiar views, is by holy example. Let 
the fruits of your religion be seen in your lives, 
and they will weigh more than volumes of 
argument. A blameless life will always silence 
gainsay ers ; and by degrees they will acknow- 
ledge that that form of worship cannot be so 
odious as they at first thought, when its fruits 
are altogether lovely. It was,” he continued, 
the advice of an inspired Apostle to some 
of the first Christian converts, and well wor- 
thy our serious attention, ^ Be ready always to 
give an answer to every man that asketh you 
a reason of the hope that is in you but let 
it be with ^ meekness’ and candour, noj; in the 


74 


THE HISTORY OF A 


spirit of bitterness and reproach. And you 
will ever bear in mind what the same Apostle 
adds : ^ Whereas they speak evil of you, as of 
evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely 
accuse your good conversation in Christ.’* If 
we are blest with more or better privileges 
than some other Christians, we are bound to 
excel them as much in all virtue and godliness 
of living.” 

After many such pious admonitions, and 
earnest exhortations to cultivate holiness of 
heart and life, and to follow peace with all 
men,” he encouraged them to persevere in 
their laudable endeavours to establish a church 
of their own, by showing how the greatest 
success had, in numerous instances, attended 
beginnings as small as these, and therefore we 
ought not to despise the day of small things.” 
‘^Indeed, the time was,” he said, ^^when few, 


* 1 Pet. iii. 16. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


75 


very few — only twelve — constituted the whole 
Christian Church; and it was to them the 
Divine founder of our religion addressed those 
cheering words of our text, ‘Fear not, little 
flock/ And even after his resurrection and 
ascension, the disciples were still so few in 
number, that ‘ they were all with one accord 
in one place,’* and that probably, a small 
room in some private house. Yet from this 
small beginning, ‘ so mightily grew the word 
of God and prevailed,’ that in a very short 
time the whole world was filled with Christ’s 
doctrine. This ‘ grain of mustard seed,’ grew 
to be a mighty tree, and spread its branches 
far and wide. Doubt not, therefore,” was his 
concluding exhortation, “ that God favourably 
receiveth this work of yours, and will bestow 
upon it his blessing. Be careful to build only 
on that ‘ sure foundation,’ the Rock of Ages, 


* Acts ii. 1. 


76 


THE HISTORY OF A 


^ Jesus Christ, and him crucified;’ for ^ other 
foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, 
which is Jesus Christ.’ 

Immediately after the sermon, the holy com- 
munion was administered. Eight or ten per- 
sons, some of whom had not enjoyed this privi- 
lege for many long years, drew near in faith,” 
as I trust, and took that holy sacrament to 
their comfort.” It was to them like being 
fed with manna in the wilderness. Some of 
them could not refrain from sobbing aloud, 
when they received the bread and wine, the 
precious pledges of a dying Saviour’s love. 
It brought back a tide of pleasing and painful 
recollections of times when they used to kneel, 
in former years, with loved friends, around 
the holy altar ; and it carried forward their 
thoughts to the time when, through the infinite 
mercies of their Redeemer, they hoped to sit 


* 1 Cor. iii. 11. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


77 


down with the same beloved friends, at the 
marriage supper of the Lamb. As these 
thoughts came over them with a mixture of 
sadness and of joy, their full hearts gushed 
forth in tears. Oh, it is luxury to weep, 
when the scenes of departed years, with ten 
thousand bright and glowing pictures of social 
love and domestic happiness, sweep across the 
memory, and we seem to be again surrounded 

By those fair forms, alas ! now seen no more ; 

LovM, and still lov’d; not dead, but gone before !” 


7 # 







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# 


CHAPTER VII. 


Church built. — Visit of another Missionary, the Rev. D. 

Phelps. — His character. — Church consecrated. — Con- 
firmation. 

The Rev. Mr. N remained at my mas- 

ter’s house several days, and all that time was 
diligently employed in making preparations 
for organizing a church, and in ascertaining 
how much money could be obtained towards 
erecting a suitable house of worship. Provi- 
dence smiled upon their endeavours, and dis- 
posed the hearts of the few Episcopalians to 
give liberally, each one in proportion to the 
means with which God had blessed him. The 
subscription soon amounted to several hundred 
dollars ; which, together with some promised 
assistance from the city of New York, enabled 
them to commence their building the follow- 
ing spring. All things went on prosperously, 


80 


THE HISTORY OF A 


and with great harmony ; men’s hands were 
strengthened for the work ; in less than one 
year after the foundations of the house were 
laid,” the superstructure was completed and 
ready for consecration. It was a neat and 
commodious edifice, built with the strictest 
economy, but with every convenience about 
the altar, desk, and pews, so that in the public 
worship of Jehovah, ^^all things might be 
done decently and in order.” When finished, 
those who were concerned in building it, had 
the satisfaction of knowing that it was all 
paid for ; there was no burdensome debt press- 
ing upon them, and paralyzing all further 
exertions. In due time, they hoped to pro- 
cure a bell and organ ; but they were content 
to do without these for a few years, that they 
might be better enabled to contribute towards 
the support of a minister. 

While the new church was in progress, our 
little congregation were again cheered and en- 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


81 


couraged by a visit from another devoted mis- 
sionary, the Rev. Davenport Phelps ; a man 
whose name cannot be pronounced but with 
the sincerest respect and affection. He, too, 

like the venerable father N , had travelled 

through the western land, with the self-deny- 
ing spirit of a primitive missionary; ‘^planting 
churches wherever he came.’’ In two or 
three years after his visit to our village, this 
good man was called to receive the reward 
promised to those who turn many to righte- 
ousness.” He died at Geneva, June 27, 1813 ; 
and I cannot refrain from quoting the just tri- 
bute of respect paid to his memory by his be- 
loved Diocesan, at the next annual convention 
after Mr. P.’s death. In noticing the changes 
in the diocese, you have doubtless already 
anticipated me, in the painful remark, that we 
no longer perceive in his place in this conven- 
tion our venerable brother, the Rev. Davenport 
Phelps. He has gone to his rest. For many 


82 


THE HISTORY OF A 


years he has been employed as a missionary 
in the western parts of the state. Having 
visited the extensive district in which he offi- 
ciated, I am able to bear testimony to the 
high estimation in which he was held for his 
pious and exemplary character, and for the 
fidelity and prudent zeal with which he dis- 
charged his arduous and laborious duties. He 
is justly revered as the founder of the congre- 
gations in the most western counties of the 
state, whom he attached, not merely to his 
personal ministrations, but to the doctrine, the 
ministry, and liturgy of our church. Indeed it 
was highly gratifying to me to observe, in the 
congregations where he officiated, and in others 
in the infant settlements of the state, which are 
still cherished by ministers equally faithful, the 
devotion and the decency with which the peo- 
ple performed their part of the public service. 
It is an evidence that whatever prejudices our 
liturgy may have at first to encounter, among 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


83 


those who are unacquainted with it, a minister 
who will be diligent in explaining it, and en- 
forcing its excellencies, and who, in obedience 
to his ordination vows, will be faithful and de- 
vout in the use of it, will finally succeed, by 
the divine blessing, in leading many to value 
it as their best help in the exercises of devo- 
tion, and next to the Bible, their best guide 
to heaven.” 

Some months before the church was finished, 
the congregation were blessed by the faithful 
ministrations of a pious young clergyman, in 
deacon’s orders, who divided his time equally 
between four parishes, fifteen or twenty miles 
apart. Unfrequent as were his services in our 
village, they were a great help in the infancy 
of our undertaking. But as soon as the build- 
ing was completed, and it was understood that 
the Bishop would come on in a few weeks and 
consecrate it, and administer confirmation at 
the same time, Mr. R., the missionary, thought 


84 


THE HISTORY OF A 


it his duty to bestow more than ordinary at- 
tention on this part of his charge. He accord- 
ingly came to board with my master, that he 
might give the necessary instructions to the 
young, to prepare them for the holy rite of 
confirmation ; and, by a course of lectures on 
the duties and privileges of the Baptismal 
covenant, might enlighten those who had not 
been educated in the church, and knew little 
or nothing of its forms and ordinances. 

The wished-for day at length arrived ; and 
a bright and happy day it was. Multitudes 
flocked in from the neighbouring towns, to wit- 
ness the ceremonies. Our little church was full 
to overflowing. The Bishop, a venerable man 
of more than three score years, was received at 
the entrance of the church by the churchwar- 
dens and vestrymen ; and as they proceeded up 
the aisle, they repeated, alternately, the twenty- 
fourth Psalm, as appointed in that most excel- 
lent and appropriate ^^Form of Consecration 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


85 


of a Church/’ prescribed in the liturgy. Never 
can I forget the appearance of that venerable 
and holy man, while performing the various 
and interesting services of the day. About 
twenty young persons, and eight or ten of an 
advanced age, presented themselves for con- 
firmation. Every person in the house evinced 
an absorbing interest in this solemn ceremony. 
There, around the holy altar, stood some of 
the brightest and loveliest of our village circle, 
in all the buoyancy of youth and health, ready 
to assume the vows of Baptism, and to devote 
themselves anew to their God and Saviour. 
It was a joyful sight to behold these young 
disciples consecrating the best of their days, 
the first fruits of their years, to Him whose 
service is perfect freedom.” And many a 
tear glistened in the parent’s eye, as he saw 
his children bending before the aged Bishop, 
and beheld the man of God lay his hands upon 

the head of his beloved ones, and heard him 

8 


86 


THE HISTORY OF A 


invoke the choicest of heaven’s blessings, in 
those impressive words, ‘^Defend, O Lord, 
these thy servants, with thy heavenly grace; 
that they may continue thine for ever, and 
daily increase in thy Holy Spirit more and 
more, until they come unto thy everlasting 
kingdom.” I have witnessed many such 
scenes since, but those first impressions are 
never to be effaced. To see a church, under 
every possible difficulty and discouragement, 
planted in the wilderness, taking root, and 
springing up and flourishing ; to behold a neat 
and commodious edifice, with its spire pointing 
towards heaven, consecrated on the spot where, 
a few years before, no traces of civilization 
could be found, and where mighty forest trees 
had for centuries spread their giant arms to 
the sky ; to see the sacred ordinances adminis- 
tered, and to hear the glad tidings of salvation 
proclaimed in that church for the first time ; 
these are scenes affecting beyond description 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


87 


to a pious mind. None but those who have 
witnessed them can have any idea of their in- 
terest, and all who have seen them will agree 
with me, that they are more easily felt than 
expressed. 

Bishop M left us the next morning, 

having engagements to fulfil in other parts of 
his extensive diocese. My master appeared 
perfectly happy, having accomplished the ob- 
ject which had long been nearest and dearest 
to his heart ; and when he retired to rest that 
night, I heard him repeat aloud — ^^Lord, now 
lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.” 



CHAPTER VIII. 


Visit of the Rev. Mr. P . His kindness to Children. 

The Prayer Book resumes its travels with him. — Joy 

at Mr. P ’s return. — Description of his residence. — 

He visits his parishioners. — Their affection for him. 

A FEW weeks after the consecration of our 
little church, I was separated from my beloved 
master, and I have never had the happiness 
of seeing him again. One Saturday evening a 
clergyman came to his house, and remained 
with him over Sunday. This gentleman had 
been settled several years in the southern part 
of Ohio, and was now on his return to his fa- 
mily and parish. My master’s family were 
all delighted with him ; and the children, es- 
pecially, were soon won by his affectionate 
and cheerful manners. There was a playful- 
ness in his conversation with them, and an 

engaging smile on his lips, well suited to the 

8 * 89 


90 


THE HISTORY OF A 


simplicity . and purity of infant minds, and 
which never fail to attract their attention. He 
had not been many hours in the house, before 
each child brought out its store of books and 
pictures to show to the kind-hearted man, and 
all were anxious to inform him where they 
read, and how much they could repeat of the 
catechism, with various other acquirements for 
which children are pleased to be noticed. 
The stranger listened to their innocent prattle, 
asked them many questions about their studies, 
heard them repeat the creed and Lord’s 
prayer, and seemed highly gratified with their 
confidence and affection, so artlessly expressed, 
and which his own affability and kindness had 
drawn forth. 

Children are good physiognomists ; they can 
discern at a glance, where their little attentions 
are likely to be well received, and their young 
hearts are easily won by an approving look or 
a kindly smile. If a minister would gain the 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


91 


love and esteem of his parishioners, he cannot 
do it more easily and effectually than by 
kindness and attention to their little ones ; and 
by evincing at all times, especially in his pa- 
rochial visits, his deep interest in the welfare 
and good conduct of these lambs of his flock. 
These reflections are the result of much obser- 
vation of men and manners, and an intimate 
knowledge of those ties which so closely con- 
nect the family circle. 

On Sunday morning, our new guest, who 
was to officiate during the day, asked for a 
prayer book, that he might examine the les- 
sons ; saying, that he had unfortunately left 
his at the house where he had last lodged. 
My master handed me to him, and begged he 
would accept me as a present ; being, as he ob- 
served, of a convenient form and size for car- 
rying on a journey. He received me with 
many grateful acknowledgments ; and, much 
as I regretted leaving my old master, I could 


92 


THE HISTORY OF A 


not but congratulate myself for having fallen 
into such excellent hands. I had now a pros- 
pect of seeing much more of the world, and of 
becoming more thoroughly acquainted with 
Jiuman nature in all its varieties ; nor have 
my observations, I trust, been without profit 
to myself ; happy shall I be, if I can make 
them equally beneficial to others. 

My new master, the Rev. Mr. P , pro- 

ceeded on his journey westward, on Monday 
morning, taking me with him. He occasion- 
ally stopped a part of a day and preached, 
wherever he found a vacant congregation, or a 
few scattered Episcopalians, disposed to hear 
him. On Sunday he always contrived to rest 
in some village, where his services would be 
acceptable and useful. Thus he journeyed 
leisurely along, and it was not until two or 
three weeks after I came into his possession, 
that we reached his place of residence. His 
wife, and two bright and blooming children, a 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


93 


boy and girl, met him at the door with their 
w^arm embraces, and assured him that all was 
well. Great was their joy at beholding him 
again in health and safety, after so long a se- 
paration ; and that same night many fervent 
thanksgivings ascended from their grateful 
hearts, that parents and children had been 
again permitted to meet around the family 
altar, and that all their lives had been crowned 
with such distinguished mercies. 

The news of his return soon spread through 
the village, and many of his parishioners has- 
tened to welcome back their beloved pastor, 
and to inquire after his welfare. During his 
absence the church had been kept open every 
Sunday ; some one of the most respected and 
pious of the laymen of his congregation read- 
ing the service and a sermon, and thus pre- 
venting the people from wandering to strange 
places of worship, as sheep without a shep- 
herd. 


94 


THE HISTORY OF A 


My master’s house was delightfully situated, 
a little out from the village, on the banks of a 
small river, which floored into the Ohio, and 
not far from its mouth. It was an humble 
dwelling, with a neat little court-yard in front, 
filled with many flowering shrubs, which grew 
luxuriantly in that mild climate. Jessamines 
and roses bloomed beneath the windows, and 
the graceful passion-flower threw its slender 
tendrils along the walls. The monthly flow- 
ering honeysuckle crept up the pillars of a 
light piazza, and, when the dews of evening 
fell, perfumed the air with the delicious fra- 
grance of its blossoms. Two or three lofty 
tulip trees, with as many spreading maples, 
contributed greatly to the beauty and comfort 
of the place. When the eye rested on that 
neat little white cottage, imbosomed in trees 
and shrubbery, it seemed a favorite spot for 
holy contemplation, and peacefulness, and 
rest. Every beholder must have felt a sacred 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


95 


calm steal over him, as he gazed upon the 
tranquil scene. On the opposite side of the 
street stood the church, with its neat and 
well ordered grave-yard, surrounded by forest 
trees ; and here and there a rose-bush, planted 
by the hand of affection, might be seen blos- 
soming on some grassy mound, a significant 
emblem of that beauty which fadeth like the 
flower of the field. 

The distant scenery was strikingly interest- 
ing. The mighty Ohio could be seen as it 
rolled along to meet the mightier Mississippi, 
and to mingle its w^aters with the ocean. Far 
off in the distance rose the high hills of Ken- 
tucky, and to the east of these, but much more 
distant, you could discern some of the loftiest 
peaks of the Alleghanies, resting like clouds 
on the verge of the horizon. 

The day after Mr. P ’s return, he visited 

many of his people ; calling first on the sick, 
the afflicted, and the infirm, and administering 


96 


THE HISTORY OF A 


consolation as their respective cases required. 
It was a gratifying sight to witness the affec- 
tion and respect with which he was every 
where received. The dull and heavy eye and 
pallid countenance of disease brightened up at 
his approach ; for at the bedside of the sick 
and dying he always appeared as a comforter 
and guide of souls. In the true spirit of his 
Divine Master, it was his delight to discourse 
of the priceless riches of redeeming love, and 
to direct the thoughts from the vain and 
perishable pleasures of earth, to that inheri- 
tance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that 
fadeth not away.’’ In the dwellings of po- 
verty he was always a welcome visiter ; for he 
had been emphatically a father to the poor.” 
In affliction of every kind, none knew better 
than he how to give comfort and joy, by a 
proper application of the scriptural promises 
to those who mourn and are weary and heavy 
laden. While he endeavoured, by every 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


97 


means in his power, to promote the spiritual 
welfare of his flock, he was not unmindful of 
their temporal wants ; following, at an humble 
distance, the blessed steps of Him who ‘‘ went 
about doing good” to the bodies and souls 
of men. The poor came to him for aid in 
distress, for his hand and heart were always 
open ; the mourner came to him to be com- 
forted, for there was a mildness and affec- 
tionate interest in his manner, soothing to 
the suffering heart; and the young and in- 
experienced sought his counsel and advice, 
which he was ever ready to give with 
parental kindness. To him might be ap- 
plied those beautiful expressions of Job, 
‘^When the ear heard him, then it blessed 
him; and when the eye saw him, it gave 
witness to him ; because he delivered the 
poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him 
that had none to help him. The blessing 
9 


98 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 

of him that was ready to perish came upon 
him; and he caused the widow’s heart to 
sing for joy.”* 

* Job xxix. 11—13. 









X 


CHAPTER IX. 


Character of Mr. P . Importance of parochial visi- 

tation.— Sunday-school instruction. — Qualifications of 

Teachers. — Public Catechising. 

Few clergymen possessed a happier faculty 
of making their conversation agreeable and 
instructive, to all ages and ranks of people, 
than Mr. P . He knew how to be cheer- 

ful without levity, grave without austerity, 
dignified without haughtiness, and humble 
without servility. Like his Divine Master, 
he could retire from the world for the purpose 
of devotion, and return to its active and social 
duties, without being seduced by its tempta- 
tions and snares. He could ‘^rejoice with 
those who rejoice,^’ as Christ himself did at 
the marriage in Cana ; and weep with fhose 
who weep,’^ as our blessed Lord did over the 
grave of Lazarus. It was this happy union 


100 THE HISTORY OF A 

of the loveliest Christian graces, which ren- 
dered his company at all times acceptable to 
the young and aged, the sorrowful and the 
rejoicing. His parishioners all looked upon 
him as their best counsellor and friend, and 
loved him with almost filial affection. 

He felt the responsibilities of his ministerial 
office, and laboured faithfully, in season and 
out of season, “ to bring all such as were com- 
mitted to his charge, unto that agreement in 
the faith and knowledge of God, and to that 
ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ, that 
there be no place left among them either for 
error in religion, or for viciousness of life.”^ 
And to this end he took care, in conformity 
with his vows of ordination, ‘^to use both 
public and private monitions and exhorta- 
tions, as well to the sick as to the whole 
within his cure, as need should require and 


* Ordination Service. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


101 


occasion should be given.’’ While he felt it 
his highest duty and his noblest privilege to 
proclaim the doctrines of the cross from the 
pulpit, on the Lord’s day, and to hold up Je- 
sus Christ, and him crucified, as the only re- 
fuge for dying sinners, he also felt, that the 
impressions which were made by his preaching 
on Sunday, must be followed up by teaching 
from house to house during the week. 

The importance of parochial visits cannot 
be too strongly urged upon the ministers of 
our communion. No church can prosper, un- 
less the pastor is acquainted with his whole 
flock ; and to know them well, he must visit 
them frequently at their homes. I have been 
in many parishes, but I never found one in a 
flourishing condition where this duty had been 
long neglected. A minister may possess all 
the eloquence of a Paul, but the work of the 
ministry can never prosper in his hands, unless, 
after the example of that great apostle, he 


102 


THE HISTORY OF A 


teach both publicly, and from house to 
house nor even then, unless he daily prays 
for that blessing from above, without which 
Paul may plant and Apollos water in vain. 

Next to public preaching, and visiting his 
parishioners, my master thought it the most 
important of a clergyman’s duties to attend 
to the catechetical instruction of the young ; 
he had, therefore, as an aid to the fulfilment 
of this duty, established a Sunday-school, 
which was entirely under his control, and 
over which he maintained a watchful care. 
He was frequently with the school one part of 
the day, that he might become well acquainted 
with both teachers and scholars ; yet the duties 
of Sunday were such, that he was obliged to 
commit the immediate supervision of the school 
to competent laymen. The most intelligent 
and pious members of his congregation, who 
were best qualified by age and experience to 
govern and instruct the young, gladly lent 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


103 


their assistance ; and the good effects of their 
efforts were soon to be seen, in the attention 
and orderly conduct of the pupils, eir re- 
spect for their teachers, their love for each 
other, and the rapid progress which they made 
in their studies. Many of them, we trust, at- 
tained to that ‘^knowledge which maketh wise 
unto salvation.’’ 

Mr. P was very solicitous that the 

teachers in his school should possess the re- 
quisite qualifications for their high vocation ; 
above all, that they should be truly pious. 
He well knew there were many in his parish, 
of a proper age, and character, and talents, 
for filling the useful and responsible, yet hum- 
ble, office of Sunday-school teachers ; and on 
these he earnestly pressed the importance of 
coming forward to the discharge of this their 
bounden duty, not of constraint, but willing- 
ly.” ‘^Let them consent,” he said, ‘^to give 
a few hours on the Lord’s day, to this noblest 


104 


THE HISTORY OF A 


of all charities. Let them consider the classes 
as in some measure under their charge during 
the remainder of the week ; and occasionally 
visit the homes of the children, especially 
when they neglect to attend. And, to insure 
punctual attendance on the part of the scholar, 
let the teacher himself be punctual ; let him 
be diligent and zealous, and he can hardly fail 
to produce a corresponding assiduity and in- 
terest in his pupils. Let him not be disheart- 
ened by any difficulties which he may at first 
encounter. He will find much that will re- 
quire the exercise of patience and forbearance 
towards those stubborn, thoughtless, or per- 
haps stupid children, whom he has set himself 
to reclaim and instruct. Indeed, the brightest 
Christian graces, humility, self-denial, long- 
suffering, meekness, gentleness, charity, will 
all be called forth in the discharge of his vo- 
luntary task; but let him bear in mind, as 
matter of the highest encouragement to patient 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


105 


and untiring perseverance, that the improve- 
ment of each and all of these virtues and 
graces, renders him more and more meet for 
the enjoyment of that blessed promise to be 
fulfilled in him, ^^They that be teachers,* shall 
shine as the brightness of the firmament ; and 
they that turn many to righteousness, as the 
stars for ever and ever.’^ 

Important however as Sunday-schools are, 
as auxiliaries to the clergyman in feeding the 
lambs of his flock, my master thought they 
ought never to supersede the good old fashion 
of catechising the children, openly in the 
church,” as the rubric directs. On the after- 
noon of the last Sunday in each month, there- 
fore, he assembled all the children, Sunday 
scholars and others, in the body of the church, 
and instructed them in the catechism. Most 
of the adult members of the congregation at- 


* Dan. xii. 3, marginal reading. 


106 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 

tended on these occasions, and seemed to de- 
rive as much pleasure and profit from the 
exercises, as the children themselves. Soon 
after he came to the parish, an intelligent lady 
of his congregation told him that she had 
learned more respecting the true principles of 
the church, from his familiar catechising, than 
from any other source. Many adults of his 
flock afterwards bore a like testimony, and 
encouraged him to persevere in this course. 


CHAPTER X. 


A new acquaintance. — A candid inquirer after « the old 
paths.” — The Prayer Book passes into other hands. — 
Prejudices against the church resulting from ignorance 
of her character and claims. — Episcopal Theologians. 
— Eloquent tribute of a Presbyterian Divine to Epis- 
copacy. 

One morning when my master was reading 
in his study and I was lying on the table be- 
fore him, a young man of plain but pleasing 
appearance came in, and after apologizing for 

the interruption, said, If Mr. P was at 

leisure, he should be glad to have some reli- 
gious conversation with him.’’ My master 
immediately shut his book, and returned it to 
the shelf ; saying, with a benevolent smile, 
that such visits could never be ill-timed to a 
clergyman, and he should now be very happy 
to listen to him. 


107 


108 


THE HISTORY OF A 


The young man began, with great modesty 
and some slight embarrassment, by saying that 
he had been educated a Presbyterian by his 
parents, who were pious and exemplary mem- 
bers of that denomination ; and that, until 
within a few months, he had never had any 
knowledge of the Episcopal Church. He had 
recently married and removed to this village, 
where he and his wife had attended the wor- 
ship of the Church a few times ; and having 
met with some small tracts explanatory of her 
doctrines and worship, he wished to become 
better acquainted with them ; and had there- 
fore called to request Mr. P to put him 

in a way of gaining more information on these 
subjects. He said he had been baptized in 
his infancy, and had long felt it his duty to 
unite with some church, by receiving the sa- 
crament of the Lord’s Supper; but he was 
not altogether satisfied with that system in 
which he had been brought up, and therefore 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


109 


he never could bring his mind cordially to 
embrace it. He mentioned his parents with 
great respect, and said he ascribed all his se- 
riousness and piety, under God, to their early 
parental instruction and pious example. Of 
his mother, particularly, he spoke in the most 
affectionate terms, as having been his best 
earthly counsellor and friend in his early days. 
Since he had been separated from her he had 
often occasion to bless God for the pains she 
took to irppress religious maxims on his young 
heart. He had no doubt, he said, that if the 
result of his inquiries should be a preference 
for the Church, and he should be led, from a 
sense of duty, to unite himself with her com- 
munion, it would be a source of grief to his 
beloved mother ; for he had often heard her 
speak as if she thought there could be no piety 
among Episcopalians, and that their religion 
was altogether a religion of forms. He ex- 
cused his parent for such erroneous opinions, 
10 


110 


THE HISTORY OF A 


which he admitted he himself had entertained 
until very lately, by observing that she had 
always lived in a remote part of the state, far 
from any congregation of the Episcopal Church, 
with no means of becoming acquainted with 
its doctrine or discipline. While he lamented 
her prejudices, he spoke of them with great 
tenderness, and said it would be a matter of 
regret to him if he should ever be obliged to 
differ from her in religious sentiments, even in 
points of comparatively minor importance; but 
he felt it his duty to search for the truth, and, 
having found it, to embrace it at all hazards ; 
because He who calls himself, emphatically, 
the Truth, hath said, ^^He that loveth father 
or mother more than me, is not worthy of me.’’* 
My master heard him with great attention ; 
commended him for the course we was pursu- 
ing, and above all, for his filial respect and 


* Matt. X. 37. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


Ill 


affection ; which, he said, were the best evi- 
dence of an honest and good heart,” rightly 
disposed to investigate religious subjects, and 
suitably prepared for the reception of divine 
truth. I myself was so delighted with the ap- 
pearance and conversation of this young man, 
that I longed to become better acquainted 
with him ; and it so turned out that my wish 
was fully gratified. After answering such 
questions as he was pleased to propose, my 
master gave him several books of instruction, 
which he commended to his careful perusal, 
and then taking me from the table he presented 
me to him, begging him to read me attentive- 
ly, and he would there learn by the help of 
those other books, every thing he wished to 
know concerning the doctrine, the ministry, 
and the worship of the Church. After you 
have studied it sufficiently yourself,” said Mr. 

P , ‘^you can, if you please, send this 

Pocket Prayer Book to your good mother ; it 


112 


THE HISTORY OF A 


may be the means of removing some of her 
prejudices, and give her a more favourable 
opinion of our Church. Let me see you as 
often as you can make it convenient to call ; 
and may Hhe Spirit of Truth guide you into 
all truth.’ ” The young man took his leave, 
thanking the minister for his kindness, and 
saying he should like to converse with him 
again in a few days. 

That evening, when my new master, Mr. 

L , returned home from his labour, he sat 

down to read me with great attention ; and 
every day, for some weeks, I occupied a great 
portion of his leisure hours. At night, when 
the business of the day was done, he always 
read aloud for an hour or two to his wife, 
either from my pages, or from some one of the 

books which Mr. P had lent him; for 

whatever religious opinions he himself might 
embrace, he felt it important that his family 
should agree with him. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


113 


In a few days he repeated his visit to the 
worthy rector, and I fortunately happened to 
be with him. We found him busy in writing, 
but he immediately laid aside his pen, and ex- 
pressed his pleasure at seeing my young mas- 
ter again. Mr. L said he had come to 

return such of the books as he had read, and 
to ask the loan of others. ^^From these,’^ he 
continued, have derived much profitable 
instruction. They have indeed poured in a 
flood of light upon my darkened understand- 
ing. I am utterly astonished at my own ig- 
norance of the Church, and am almost 
ashamed to confess it. Would you believe it 
possible, I had thought until I read those 
books, that the number of Episcopalians was 
small, compared with other religious denomi- 
nations ; and I could hardly credit the fact, 
even when it was demonstrated to me, that 
they constituted by far the greater part of the 

whole Christian world ; and that all the sects 
10 ^ 


114 


THE HISTORy OF A 


together are but a mere handful, in compari- 
son with those who are strictly Episcopal. I 
also thought that your Church had never pro- 
duced many men distinguished for learning or 
piety ; but now I see and lament my gross ig- 
norance on this subject ; for I find that in the 
long catalogue of great names of modern 
times, of those whose works are imperishable 
monuments of wisdom and piety, by much the 
greater portion were Episcopal divines, and 
the English Church, I see, can boast a con- 
stellation of theologians, far outshining all 
their contemporaries. And as to the theolo- 
gical writers in the first fifteen hundred years 
of the Christian era, there can be no question ; 
if it can be proved, as I think it can, that the 
universal church was Episcopal, until the Re- 
formation.” 

^^You are right,” said the good rector, his 
countenance brightening up with unusual ani- 
mation, as he spoke; ‘^you are right, my 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


115 


young friend ; nor does your former ignorance 
at all surprise me. Until I was twenty years 
of age I knew as little of the Church as you 
did. I was born of pious Congregational pa- 
rents, in New England, and was sent, when 
young, to a Calvinistic college, where I re- 
mained utterly ignorant of the simplest fea- 
tures of Episcopacy. Indeed, I knew nothing 
of them until I was graduated, and vrent to 
reside in a town where I had frequent oppor- 
tunities of attending the services of the Church. 
Nor can I help looking back with astonish- 
ment at my own ignorance ; for my opportu- 
nities of reading and information were much 
greater than yours have been. What most 
surprises me is, that I could have studied, 
while in college, the great works of Butler and 
Paley, without once thinking that the ^ Ana- 
logy of Religion,’ the ^Evidences of Chris- 
tianity,’ the ‘Moral Philosophy,’ and ‘Natu- 
ral Theology,’ which were the text books 


.116 


THE HISTORY OF A 


there, were all written by divines of the Eng- 
lish Church. You may, perhaps, think I must 
have been uncommonly stupid ; but the fact 
was, I had never been inside of an Episcopal 
church ; I never heard any thing said about it, 
while under my father’s roof ; at college the 
subject was never introduced ; and I knew no 
more about it than I did about the koran. My 
mind was strongly turned to the ministry, 
while in college ; but had I commenced my 
theological studies then, it would have been 
with a view of entering the Congregational 
Church, for I knew no other. 

What you say concerning the writings of 
Episcopal divines,” he continued, glancing his 
eye around his well-furnished library, is all 
very just. Our most approved theological 
works, those, I mean, which are in highest 
estimation among all denominations of Pro- 
testant Christians, are generally written by 
Episcopalians. See that long range of fo- 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


117 


lios/’ pointing to the lowest shelf of his 
library ; those are the productions of Church 
of England men, who applied their mighty 
intellects to the study and elucidation of the 
Scriptures; and from their abundant stores 
most modern divines draw their richest sup- 
plies, either for the press or the pulpit. Look 
through the libraries of any of the ministers in 
this country, no matter of what denomination, 
and take from them all that has been written 
by Episcopal clergymen and laymen, and a 
meagre catalogue would remain. I do not 
mean to say that other denominations cannot 
boast of eminently pious and learned men ; for 
I have many commentaries, written by their 
greatest divines, which I value highly, and 
which I seldom consult without deriving plea- 
sure and instruction from them. The com- 
mentaries of Doddridge are among my favourite 
works ; and so are those of Macknight, and 
Campbell, and Dwight; with many others 


118 


THE HISTORY OF A 


which might be named. But I do say, that 
all these writers are, in comparison to Epis- 
copal theologians, as a single star to ^ the sun 
shining in his strength.’ This is no vain 
boasting. It is an indisputable fact, that all 
the clergymen in these. United States are in- 
debted more or less, to the divines of the 
English Church. Ought they not, therefore, 
to disabuse the minds of their people, when 
they hear this Church derided and scoffed at? 
Ought they not freely to own their obligations 
to her burning and shining lights, for much 
of that reflected brightness which they them- 
selves are able to display ? While they are 
recommending to the people of their charge 
the practical works of Law, and Beveridge, 
and Sherlock, and Horne, and Porteus, and 
Scott, and Newton, and Richmond, and Mel- 
ville, and Wilberforce, and Hannah More, 
while they are extolling the missionary zeal 
of a Heber and a Martyn, can they listen pa- 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


119 


tiently, and without a word of reproof, to the 
calumnies which are so plenteously lavished 
on the Episcopal Church? Would it not be 
well for them to stop the mouths of these 
railing accusers, by reminding them, that their 
sweeping slander touches some of the purest 
spirits that have ever enlightened and blessed 
the world by their labours ? Why will they 
not all say, as one of their most accomplished 
scholars and favorite divines has said, with a 
frankness which does equal credit to his head 
and heart ? ‘We remember that it was under 
the Episcopacy that the Church in England 
took its firm stand against the Papacy ; and 
that this was its form when Zion rose to light 
and splendour from the dark night of ages. 
We remember Cranmer, — Cranmer first, in 
many respects, among the reformers ; that it 
was by his steady and unerring hand, that, 
under God, the pure Church of the Saviour 
was conducted through the agitating and dis- 


120 


THE HISTORY OF A 


tressing times of Henry VIII. We remember 
that God watched over that wonderful man ; 
that he gave this distinguished prelate access 
to the heart of one of the most capricious, 
cruel, inexorable, blood-thirsty, and licentious 
monarchs that has disgraced the world ; that 
God, for the sake of Cranmer and his Church, 
conducted Henry, as ^ by a hook in the nose,’ 
and made him faithful to the Archbishop of 
Canterbury, when faithful to none else. The 
world will not soon forget the names of Lati- 
mer, and Ridley, and Rogers, and Bradford ; 
names associated in the feelings of Christians, 
with the long list of eminent confessors, of 
whom the world was not worthy ; and who did 
honour to the entire ages of mankind, by seal- 
ing their attachment to the Son of God, on the 
rack, or amid the flames. Nor can we forget 
that w^e owe to Episcopacy that which fills our 
minds with gratitude and praise, when we 
look for examples of consecrated talent, and 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


121 


elegant literature, and humble devoted piety. 
While men honour elevated Christian feel- 
ing ; while they revere sound learning ; 
while they render tribute to clear and pro- 
found reasoning; they will not forget the 
names of Barrow, and Taylor, of Tillotson, 
and Hooker, and Butler; and when they 
think of humble, pure, sweet, heavenly 
piety, their minds will recur instinctively to 
the name of Leighton. Such names, with a 
host of others, do honour to the world. When 
we think of them, we have it not in our hearts 
to utter one word against a church which has 
thus done honour to our race, and to our com- 
mon Christianity.’ This is the w^arm, honest, 
honourable expression, of one of the most 
distinguished and exemplary divines of the 
Presbyterian Church, that the present age can 
boast of. Would that these sentiments found 
a cordial response in the bosoms of all his bre- 
11 


122 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


thren ! But I ought to apologize, perhaps, for 
detaining you thus long with these views ; I 
am now ready to listen to you.” 











CHAPTER XI. 


Doctrines of the Church. — Necessity of a change of 
heart. — Comprehensiveness of the Prayer Book. — 
Advantages of Public Formularies. — Calvin’s Opinion 
on this subject. — Length of the Daily Service. 

It is sometimes confidently asserted/’ my 
young master observed, ^^that Episcopalians 
do not believe in the necessity of a change of 
heart; and I will thank you to inform me 
whether such is the fact respecting any of 
them ; for your sermon last Sunday, on those 
words of David, ^ Create in me a clean heart, 
0 God ; and renew a right spirit within me,’* 
satisfied my mind that your own views of con- 
version were truly scriptural.” 

That is an old and oft-refuted calumny,” 
Mr. P replied, which, so far as my ob- 


* Ps. li. 10. 


123 


124 


THE HISTORY OF A 


servation goes, has no foundation whatever 
in truth ; and which never would be uttered 
by any person at all acquainted with our 
standards. The remarks just made to you, 
respecting that glorious constellation of di- 
vines, who for centuries have been the light 
and defence, under God, of the Protestant 
faith, prove how groundless the charge is with 
respect to them. But I will go further and 
say, that I never knew an Episcopal clergy- 
man, and I never heard of one, who did not 
believe that man is by nature fallen and cor- 
rupt ; that his sinful heart must be changed ; 
that he must be renewed in the spirit of his 
mind, and become a new creature in Christ 
Jesus, by the operations of divine grace ; be- 
fore he can be fitted for the bliss and glories 
of heaven. Whoever believes in the corrup- 
tion of human nature, whoever believes, as 
our ninth Article expresses it, that ^ man is 
very far gone from original righteouness,^ must 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


125 


consequently believe in the absolute necessity 
of a change of heart ; because ^ without holi- 
ness no man shall see the Lord and he must 
be faithless to his ordination vows, who ne- 
glects to press this great, this fundamental 
truth, frequently and earnestly upon his hear- 
ers, ^ Ye must be born again.’ 

But let me refer you to the Prayer Book ; 
the only proper standard of what Episcopa- 
lians do, or do not, believe. Without stop- 
ping to consider your single objection, I will 
confidently ask. What doctrine does the Bible 
contain, as ^necessary to salvation,’ that is 
not, again and again, clearly and distinctly 
set forth in our liturgy ? Indeed, I will go fur- 
ther, and ask. Where is the orthodox church 
in Christendom, that gives such prominence 
to the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, 
as our own ? And where will you find a body 
of clergy more zealous and faithful than ours, 
in explaining and enforcing these doctrines? 


126 


THE HISTORY OF A 


None of us, alas ! are as devoted in our Mas- 
ter’s cause as we ought to be ; but, for fidelity 
and zeal, we think we shall not suffer in the 
comparison with ministers of any other deno- 
mination. 

One of the greatest advantages of a pub- 
lic formulary, like ours, is to bring the primary 
and essential truths of the Gospel before the 
people in a regular and connected order. You 
have only to run your eye over its pages, to 
be convinced with what admirable beauty and 
propriety the compilers of our liturgy have 
arranged the services for every day in the 
year. A little attention to the Lessons, Gos- 
pels, and Epistles, for each day, wull show 
with what judgment they are selected and 
suited to the occasion. You will generally 
find the second Lesson illustrating the first, 
and the Epistle and Gospel explaining each 
other ; thereby making scripture its own in- 
terpreter. Beginning with the advent of the 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


127 


Messiah, the Church follows our blessed Sa- 
viour, step by step, from the cradle to the 
cross ; making ‘ Jesus Christ, and him cruci- 
fied,^ the corner stone, the very foundation of 
the gospel scheme of salvation. First reciting 
the prophecies which announce his coming, 
she goes on to show their fulfilment in his 
birth, miracles, sufferings, death, resurrection, 
and ascension; then she proceeds to commemo- 
rate the wonderful effusion of the Holy Ghost, 
on the day of Pentecost ; and closes her most 
important festivals by celebrating the mystery 
of the adorable Trinity, and ascribing equal 
and undivided ^ glory to the Father, and to 
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.’ 

Another distinguished excellence of our 
Prayer Book is, that it excludes from the 
Church ^ all erroneous and strange doctrines 
and it preserves those who use it, from falling 
into heresy and error. An honest person can- 
not possibly unite in our services, and yet re- 


128 


THE HISTORY OF A 


tain very dangerous opinions ; he must either 
renounce his errors, or lay aside the liturgy. 
Here he learns to pay divine honours to that 
Saviour, Christ, who is ‘ God over all, blessed 
for ever/ Here he is continually reminded of 
man’s fallen and helpless state ; of his absolute 
need of a Saviour ; the extent and efficacy of 
Christ’s atonement ; the necessity of renewing 
and sanctifying grace ; the eternity of future re- 
wards and punishments ; the necessity of repent- 
ance, of faith, and all holy obedience, to quali- 
fy him for that happiness which the Redeemer 
purchased with his blood, and to which the 
Holy Ghost is sent to lead him. Here, in 
short, he is continually reminded of all those 
truths, ^ which a Christian ought to know and 
believe to his soul’s health.’ I could relate 
many interesting facts, to prove to you the 
conservative influence of the Prayer Book; 
but I will mention only one, which came un- 
der my own observation, and which, I think. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


129 


will display to you, in a very striking manner, 
the tendency of the liturgy to preserve, un- 
impaired, the great doctrines of the Gospel. 
Two clergymen, one a Presbyterian, the other 
an Episcopalian, having the pastoral cal*e of 
large congregations, fell about the same time 
into error, respecting that cardinal doctrine 
of Christianity, the Divinity of Christ. The 
former continued his ministrations as before, 
omitting, however, both in his prayers and 
sermons, all reference to this subject ; and his 
congregation, accustomed by degrees to the 
omission, ultimately became, like himself, So- 
cinian in their belief ; and still retain him as 
their minister. The Episcopal clergyman pur- 
sued the same course, in his sermons from the 
pulpit ; but the full recognition of this great 
truth, which he was obliged to make in the 
service^ at the desk and altar, was such as an 
ingenuous mind could not endure ; and he soon 
felt compelled to resign his charge. He was 


130 


THE HISTORY OF A 


shortly after displaced from the ministry. Al- 
though he possessed, in a remarkable degree, 
the esteem and affection of his parishioners, 
for he was a man of great purity of character, 
and goodness of heart, yet not one of them 
imitated his defection. Immediately after his 
resignation, Providence sent them a pious, 
faithful, and sound clergyman, who is now 
their pastor ; and the congregation is one of 
the most flourishing in our country. As re- 
spects their first minister, there can be no 
doubt that he was never a firm believer in the 
Trinity ; for soon after his ordination, he said 
to a friend, that his mind was unsettled on 
that subject, and that he intended giving it a 
full investigation. His friend replied, that he 
ought to have examined the subject, and fully 
satisfied his mind, before he ventured to take 
upon himself the ordination vows. 

I ought also to mention, as another of the 
many excellencies of our liturgy, that it makes 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


131 


the devotions of the congregation entirely in- 
dependent of the talents, or opinions, or feel- 
ings, of their officiating minister. The great 
reformer, Calvin, himself saw what an im- 
mense advantage this must be ; and his w1)rds 
are worthy the consideration of all his ad- 
mirers; ^As to a form of prayer, and eccle- 
siastical rites,’ he says, ^ I highly approve that 
it should be certain, from which it may not be 
lawful for any minister to depart ; as well in 
consideration of the weakness and ignorance 
of some, as that it may more plainly appear 
how our churches agree among themselves ; 
and lastly, that a stop may be put to the gid- 
diness of those who affect novelties.’ Now 
whatever maybe the ^weakness’ or the ^igno- 
rance’ of the minister, in our Church, he has a 
pure and rational formulary for his guide ; nor do 
I feel at liberty to add to, or abridge, this form. 
If any thing must be omitted, I consider it my 
duty to shorten the sermon, not the liturgy.” 


132 


THE HISTORY OF A 


Your remark/’ said Mr. L , about 

shortening the liturgy, reminds me that I have 
sometimes heard the morning service objected 
to as too long ; is that your opinion ?” 

To some persons, undoubtedly,” Mr. P — 
replied, ^^the shortest prayers would seem too 
long ; but I should hardly think this objection 
would be urged against our services, by any 
one who has rightly considered the subject. 
You have no doubt observed that I read very 
deliberately ; and yet the morning service 
never occupies more than an hour and a quar- 
ter, and the evening service seldom an hour ; 
including the singing, chanting, psalms, and 
lessons. I say nothing about the sermon, be- 
cause that is left to the discretion of the minis- 
ter ; and he may make it longer or shorter, as 
he sees fit. Here, then, are only two hour^ 
and a quarter employed, in both parts of the 
day, for offering up our prayers and praises 
to Almighty God, and for reading and hearing 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


133 


his Holy Word. And can this be considered too 
large a portion of that seventh day, which he 
has set apart and sanctified for that very end ? 
It must he borne in mind, that the great object 
of all religious assemblies on the Lord’s day, 
is to worship God ; which can be done only 
by prayer and praise. Hence God’s house is 
emphatically styled a ‘ House of Prayer.’ 
Keeping this design in view, can the services 
of the Church be justly considered too long 
and tedious, to engage our hearts only one day 
in seven, and that a day, the whole of which 
was appointed for this special purpose ?” 

There is much force in w^hat you say,” 
my master observed, and although, since I 
began to like your liturgy, I have never been 
wearied with its length, yet your remarks will 
better enable me to answer the objections of 
others. But do you not think that a constant 
repetition of the same forms, will in time be- 
come irksome ? I have heard it complained of, 
12 


134 


THE HISTORY OF A 


that your service is the same thing over and 
over again ; and it has also been said, that it 
would be less tedious were there more va- 
riety/^ 

know this is sometimes said/^ replied 
Mr. P , but only by those who seek no- 

velties. For myself I can say, that so far 
from the services becoming irksome by frequent 
repetition, they are continually rendered more 
and more interesting. Hardly a day passes 
but I discover some new beauties, which com- 
mend them more strongly to my understanding 
and my heart. Where the imagination only 
is consulted, I grant you that novelty is desi- 
rable ; but not so with the affections. That 
which we most love, we never desire should 
change ; it never becomes wearisome. Can 
any thing be sweeter to a child’s ear than the 
voice of a mother ? Is any object more agreea- 
ble to the eye than the countenance of an old 
friend ? Do we not wish to see our parents 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


135 


and friends, whom we dearly love, always the 
same ? And why ? Because the |ieart is in- 
terested ; these are objects which seize upon 
the affections. But to gratify the imagination, 
scenes must be continually changing ; and this, 
I conceive, is the true cause of the objection 
sometimes brought against the liturgy, that it 
is always the same. The objectors seek to 
gratify the ear, while the heart remains unaf- 
fected. They do not, perhaps, consider that 
our public mercies, and our public wants, are 
daily the same; and that our prayers and 
praises should be so too. But you will excuse 
me from entering further into this discussion ; 
I have an engagement to fulfil at this hour, 
and I shall be happy to see you on some other 
day.” 









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CHAPTER XII. 


The Prayer Book is sent by Mr. L , a present to his 

mother. — His letter. — How received by the good lady. 
Her prejudices against the Church. — How removed. — 
An interesting Conversation. — Undesigned eulogium 
on the office for Family Devotion. 

My new master continued his examination 
of the doctrines and worship of the Church 
with unabated interest : daily praying that the 
Spirit of divine truth would enlighten his un- 
derstanding, and enable him both rightly to 
discern, and fearlessly to pursue, the good and 
the right way. In all cases of doubt and 
difficulty he advised with his minister, who 
obligingly aided him by his counsel, and by 
putting into his hands the most suitable books 
of instruction and practical piety. In the 
course of a few months both he and his wife 

united themselves with the Church by receiving 

12 ^ 137 


138 


THE HISTORY OF A 


the holy communion ; I trust with such dis- 
positions of heart as rendered them ^^meet 
partakers of those holy mysteries.” 

Immediately after this event, I was sent a 
present to his mother, as Mr. P had sug- 

gested. This good lady lived in another part 
of the state, and was the mistress of a small 
but respectable public house. Her son wrote 
to her on this occasion, and I cannot help 
transcribing the conclusion of his letter which 
I heard read. 

After informing her of his having joined 
the communion of the Episcopal Church, he 
says: 

I know, my dear mother, that this will 
greatly excite your surprise ; but believe me, 
I have done it after patient and candid exami- 
nation, with prayer for the guidance of divine 
wisdom, and from a full conviction that I was 
acting right. Knowing the unfavourable opi- 
nion you entertain of the Church to which I 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


139 


have attached myself, and convinced, as I am, 
that more information on the subject, than you 
have ever had it in your power to obtain, 
would entirely remove your objections, I have 
taken the liberty to send you a Prayer Book. 
I beg, my dearest mother, you will give it an 
attentive perusal ; and then tell me whether 
you think that a Church, which maintains such 
doctrines, and worships with such a form, can 
be much in the wrong, either in creed or prac- 
tice. 

Believe me, my beloved mother, I never 
was happier in my life. There is something 
so decent, orderly, and solemn, in the manner 
in which our services are performed, that I 
always feel as if I was truly worshipping God, 
^ with the spirit and with the understanding 
also.’ 

You, who have been many years a con- 
scientious communicant in another church, no 
doubt feel more of the spirit of true devotion 


140 


THE HISTORY OF A 


when worshipping God in your own way ; and 
it rejoices me to think that hereafter, through 
the infinite mercies of our common Redeemer, 
we shall both be permitted to join in that one 
worship, which angels and saints continually 
pay around his throne. Although distance 
now separates us, and there are some points 
of difference in our religious views, yet I trust 
we shall ever be one in heart and affection. 
To you, my dear mother, I am indebted, un- 
der God, for all my early religious impressions. 
May he abundantly reward and bless you, for 
all your care and kindness towards me ; may 
He take us both into His holy keeping, and 
finally bring us to Himself, never more to be 
separated from Him, or from each other. And 
this I trust he will do, for the sake of our 
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Most affectionately and truly, your son, 

L 

This letter was put into her hand, at the 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


141 


same time that I was presented to her. She 
paid no attention to me, but seemed wholly 
engrossed with her son^s letter. The tears 
rolled down her cheeks as she read it ; but 
whether they were tears of joy or of sorrow, 
I could not at first determine. Some expres- 
sions of regret, however, at her son’s having 
joined the Church, led me to conclude that 
her tears were not altogether the overflowings 
of a glad and grateful heart. But there vras so 
much kindness and affection breathed through- 
out the letter, that it must have softened her 
feelings; and I heard her say aloud, after 
reading it a second time — ^^Well, after all, I 
do believe he is a Christian ; he was always 
one of the best and most dutiful of sons, and 
this act of his is almost the only one of his 
life, of which I ever had any reason to com- 
plain.” The good woman wiped her eyes, as 
the remembrance of her son’s former love and 
obedience occurred, to soothe the grief which 


142 


THE HISTORY OF A 


his present conduct had occasioned. Folding 
up the letter, she took me in her hand, and 
after carelessly turning over my leaves a few 
times, she laid me down with a deep drawn 
sigh, that told the bitterness of her reflections. 

For many days I remained altogether unno- 
ticed. Now and then my new mistress would 
hastily read a page or two, but evidently with- 
out feeling any interest in the subject. Being 
the gift of a favourite son, she probably could 
not bring her mind to throw me wholly aside. 

Some weeks after I became her property, I 
was lying on a table in the little parlour, 
where strangers usually sat ; for my mistress, 
as I before remarked, was the landlady of a 
respectable inn, when a gentleman in black 
was shown into the room. Having thrown 
aside his travelling coat, and taken his seat 
by the fire, he asked if he could be accommo- 
dated with supper and lodging for the night- 
She replied in the affirmative, and immediately 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


143 


commenced the necessary preparations. While 
she was spreading the cloth for tea, I attracted 
the attention of the stranger, and taking me 
up he said, So, madam, I see you have a 
Prayer Book here ; are your family Episco- 
palians ?” 

^^No, sir,’’ she replied, ^^that is a book 
which my son sent me.” 

Your son, then, probably belongs to the 
Episcopal Church?” 

Yes, sir, he and his wife have lately joined 
it, and I am sorry for it.” 

But why so ; why are you sorry ?” 

Because I do not believe there is any re- 
ligion in that Church.” 

That, certainly, is a sufficient reason ; you 
have just cause to mourn, if your son belongs 
to a church which has no religion in it. But 
do you mean to say, that you think your son 
is destitute of religious principles ?” 

Oh, no ! by no means ! If ever there was 


144 


THE HISTORY OF A 


a Christian, I believe he is one ; but I think 
there is less of true piety in that church than 
in any other.” 

Will you be so kind as to state your rea- 
sons for this opinion ; for it is surely a very 
serious charge.” 

Here I saw my mistress looked a little con-^ 
fused, as those persons are apt to look, who 
make unqualified assertions, and are unexpect- 
edly called upon to substantiate them. How- 
ever, soon regaining her composure, she said 
there was so much of form in that mode of 
worship, that she had been led to suppose there 
could not be a great deal of real religion there.” 

^^Well, but have you ever read those forms 
attentively ? Have you ever* read this Prayer 
Book?” 

•^Not much of it, I confess; I never could 
endure forms of prayer.” 

^^Have you ever read any Episcopal books, 
either doctrinal or practical ?” 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


145 


Never one, that I know of.^’ 

Did you ever hear the service read, or an 
Episcopal clergyman preach?’’ 

Here my mistress seemed to take courage, 
as if an idea had been suggested which would 
extricate her from the unpleasant dilemma into 
which she had unguardedly fallen ; for she im- 
mediately replied, wdth no little triumph, 
“Yes, -I once heard an Episcopal minister 
preach, and I did not like his sermon ; he said 
nothing about total depravity, nor absolute 
election ; and he proved to be a very bad man, 
and was degraded from the ministry.” 

“ All this may be very true ; there are no 
doubt unworthy ministers to be found among 
every religious denomination ; but it is far 
from being candid, or charitable, to condemn 
the whole on account of the errors of a few.” 

The stranger now perceived how utterly 
ignorant she was of the subject, on which she 
at first so confidently pronounced an opinion ; 


146 


THE HISTORY OF A 


he therefore despaired of convincing her by 
any formal argument. He could not talk to 
her about the excellency of the Prayer Book, 
for she had never read it ; nor of the beauty of 
the service, for she had heard it performed but 
once in her life; nor could he refer her to 
Episcopal writers, for by her own acknow- 
ledgment she had never read any ; so he said — 

Madam, did you ever hear of John Ro- 
gers 

What, he w^ho was burnt at Smithfield, in 
the reign of the bloody Mary ?” 

^^The same.’’ 

Yes, every child has heard of him. I re- 
member w^hen I was a little girl, exactly how 
he used to look in the printer, with his wife 
and ten small children standing by, w^hen he 
was offered a pardon, if he would renounce his 
faith ; but he chose to be burnt alive, in sight 
of his dear wife and babes. Many a time have 
I cried over his sad story.” 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


147 


‘‘You think, then, John Rogers must have 
been a good man ?” 

“ Why, to be sure I do. Does not every 
body think him a Christian martyr, who died 
gloriously for the faith of Christ ?” 

“ Do you think he would belong to a church 
which had no religion in it, or that he would 
make use of prayers which were sinful?’’ 

“ By no means ; I believe he was as good a 
Christian as ever lived ; and I wish there were 
many such now-a-days.” 

“ Well, this same John Rogers was an Epis- 
copal clergyman; he belonged to the same 
Church to which your son belongs ; and he 
used the same form of prayers, in substance, 
which your son now uses, and which you think 
so unmeaning. You probably never thought 
of this before ; and it is very possible that you 
are more indebted to Episcopal authors, for 
your religious knowledge, than you are aware 
of ; for you say, and no doubt think, you have 


148 


THE HISTORY OF A 


never read any of their works. Will you al- 
low me to look at your devotional books ?” 

My mistress readily consented, little sus- 
pecting that she possessed a single volume 
written by a churchman. Opening a small 
closet in the room, she pointed to a shelf, say- 
ing, There are all my religious books.” 

The stranger began to examine them, and 
the first he took down was ^^The World with- 
out Souls,” by the Rev. J. W. Cunningham. 
A slight smile played upon his lips, as he said. 
What think you of this little work ?” 

Oh, that is one of the best books I ever 
read.” 

I am happy to hear that you think so, for 
it was written by a clergyman of the English 
Church.” 

You surprise me; but whoever wrote it 
must have been a good man.” 

Here,” he continued, is ^ Sherlock on 
Death what is your opinion of that ?” 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


149 


A very pious work, which I have often 
read with much pleasure and profit; but do 
you mean to say that was written by an Epis- 
copalian 

I do ; and one of the most distinguished 
divines of our Church. But what comes next? 
^ Law’s Serious Call/ ^Dairyman’s Daughter/ 
‘Young Cottager/ ‘Zion’s Pilgrim/ ‘Scott’s 
Force of Truth/ ‘John Newton’s Works;’ 
all by Episcopal divines, and I dare say you 
esteem them all as excellent devotional books.” 

“ That I do,” she replied ; “ they are my 
spiritual treasury, and I am ashamed to think 
how little I knew about the authors. If the 
Episcopal Church has produced such men as 
these, I will never again object to my son^s 
having joined it, but bless God that he has 
fallen into such excellent company.” 

Here the conversation was interrupted by 
the servant’s bringing in the gentleman’s sup- 
per. 


13 * 


150 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 

That evening, the stranger, who proved to 
be a clergyman, was asked to officiate at fa- 
mily prayers ; and kneeling down, without any 
book before him, he repeated from memory 
the forms appointed for that purpose. Before 
he retired, my mistress said to him, I was 
quite delighted with your prayer this evening ; 
and I think you yourself will acknowledge 
that such a prayer, offered extempore, is much 
better than any form.” He smiled, and 
taking me up, he turned to the office for fa- 
mily devotion, saying, There is the prayer, 
word for word, which you have heard me 
use, and which has so justly excited your ad- 
miration.” Then bidding her good night, he 
left the room. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


The Prayer Book resumes its travels. — Autumnal Scene- 
ry. — Journey through Ohio and Pennsylvania. — Mine- 
ral Springs at* B . Church service in a Presbyte- 

rian house of worship. — Returns to New York. — 
Unexpected separation from its master. — Comes into 
possession of a layman. — Witnesses the gathering of a 
new congregation, and the erection of another Church, 
in South-western New York. 

The next morning, when the stranger was 
about departing, he proposed to my mistress 
to exchange a larger and much more costly 
Prayer Book, which he had with him, for me ; 
as he had yet a long journey to perform, and 
would find me more convenient to carry. To 
this she readily assented, and I again entered 
upon my travels. The clergyman into whose 
possession I now came was returning from the 
south, to his parish in the state of New York, 
having been travelling some months for the 


152 


THE HISTORY OF A 


benefit of his health. Long shall I remember, 
with delight, our journey in this most interest- 
ing section of our country. As we passed 
along through that fertile and highly culti- 
vated region, which forms the southern por- 
tion of Ohio, and beheld many large and 
flourishing villages, with a thriving and happy 
yeomanry, it was difficult to realize, that even 
within the memory of persons then living, this 
whole tract was a waste, howling wilder- 
ness.” Yet such was the fact; the tide of 
emigration, rolling westw^ard from the Atlan- 
tic, had swept away the forests in its course ; 
towns and villages had arisen in their place ; 
and the war-whoop of the Indian, and the 
howling of wild beasts, had been succeeded by 
the busy hum of population, and the noise of 
the hammer of the artisan. 

It was the delightful month of October ; a 
season peculiarly favourable for travelling, in 
our northern and middle states. The days 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


153 


were bright and clear, and there was an elas- 
ticity in the air, which imparted animation and 
vigour to both mind and body. The fields, it 
is true, had lost much of their freshness ; but 
the forest trees were putting on their richest 
livery. The deep and varied tints of the ma- 
ple and the sumach might vie with the bright- 
est colours of the rainbow ; and none but His 
hand, who bended’’ the heavenly arch, 
could produce such an exquisite assemblage 
of bright and brilliant hues, as the woods 
every where presented. Crossing the Ohio 
river, and through a part of Virginia, we en- 
tered upon the magnificent mountain scenery 
of Pennsylvania. Here nature appeared in its 
wildest and grandest form. Those lofty Alle- 
ghanies, whose blue peaks I had often ad- 
mired in the distance, now towered majesti- 
cally around me, and directed the thoughts of 
the traveller to Him who, with resistless 
might, piled together these huge masses ; and 


154 


THE HISTORY OF A 


of whom it is said, He hath weighed the 
mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance.”* 
After journeying several days among these 
mountains, sometimes crossing over their rug- 
ged summits, and then again passing them by 
a deep ravine, which some rapid torrent had 
worn, as it struggled to meet the Ohio or the 
Susquehanna, we entered the delightful valley, 

where stands the village of B , about two 

miles from which are the mineral springs of 
the same name. Here my master concluded 
to rest aw^hile from the fatigues of his journey ; 
and a pleasanter spot than these springs af- 
forded could not be desired. It reminded me 
of ^^the happy valley,” so beautifully de- 
scribed by Johnson, in his Rasselas. It was 
indeed a valley of surpassing loveliness ; sur- 
rounded by lofty and precipitous mountains, 
whose sides and summits were covered with ' 


* Isa. xl. 12. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


155 


majestic forest trees, now clothed in the richest 
robes of autumn. 

During our stay here, my master was invited 
to officiate on a Sunday, in the neighbouring 

village of B ; and there being no other 

clergyman in the town, the meeting house” 
was kindly offered him. He took me with 
him into the pulpit, and read the daily morn- 
ing and evening prayers ; but as there were 
no Episcopalians to take the responsive part 
of the service, much of its beauty was neces- 
sarily lost ; still there was such simplicity and 
pious pathos in the language of the liturgy, 
as to draw forth great praise from many of 
the congregation, who had never heard it be- 
fore. The singing was excellent ; all the con- 
gregation appearing to join in it, as the cler- 
gyman read to them, line by line, the psalm 
or hymn. 

On our leaving this retired and peaceful val- 
ley, we travelled leisurely along through the 


156 


THE HISTORY OF A 


rich central region of Pennsylvania ; nothing 
special occurring until we entered the state of 
New Y ork. Here, to my great grief, I was sepa- 
rated from my master, whom I had anxious- 
ly wished to accompany home to his parish. 
Stopping one night at a public house, he took 
me out to read, as was his custom before going 
to bed ; and the next morning, rising early 
to proceed on his journey, in the hurry of 
departure I was forgotten, and he went away 
leaving me on the table in his bed-room. 
There the chamber-maid found me, and know- 
ing that I must be the property of the travel- 
ler just gone, she took me into her own pos- 
session. She kept me, however, but a little 
while ; for a travelling pedler coming along, she 
bartered me away for some trifling ornament 
of dress. He sold me to a gentleman who 
had just organized a small congregation, and 
wished to procure a few Prayer Books for 
their immediate use. I was gratified with this 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


157 


last exchange, for I expected once more to 
witness the interesting scene of a new congre- 
gation growing up, under the nursing care of 
a pious and intelligent layman. And this ex- 
pectation was fully realized. My master, Mr. 
F , was a merchant in S , a small vil- 

lage in the south-western part of New York. 
He and his wife had been educated in the 
Presbyterian Church ; and having, about the 
same time, had their attention aw^akened to 
the importance of eternal things, and feeling 
it their duty to make a public profession of 
their faith in Christ, they set about the im- 
portant inquiry. With what denomination of 
Christians should they connect themselves? 
The village in which they resided, contained 
congregations of almost every name, except- 
ing the Episcopal ; but in each of these they 
found something objectionable, either in doc- 
trine or worship, which prevented their uniting 
with its communion. Of the Episcopal Church, 


158 


THE HISTORY OF A 


they at that time knew nothing. But while 
their minds were in this unsettled state, it pro- 
videntially happened that Father N 

whose history has already been related, in his 
missionary travels, stopped at the tavern in 
S . My master hearing of his arrival, in- 

vited him to his house, that he and his wife 
might learn from this venerable missionary, 
something respecting the doctrines, ministry, 
and worship of the Church. Nearly the whole 
night was spent in listening to the instructions 
of this holy man; and before the morning 
light dawned, both my master and his wife 
had made up their minds to unite with the 
Episcopal Church. The nearest place of wor- 
ship was fourteen miles distant, and the way 
to it was over a very hilly country, and rough 
road ; yet thither my master and his family 
went every Saturday evening, that they might 
be there in time for the commencement of the 
service on Sunday morning. After a time. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


159 


this was found to be very inconvenient, and 

Mr. F determined to have a church nearer 

home. It was an arduous attempt indeed, to 
build up the church in a village where there 
were such a variety of congregations already, 
and where his was the only Episcopal family. 
But my master was not a man to be dis- 
couraged by such circumstances. He knew 
from his own experience, that if the prevailing 
ignorance respecting the Church could be re- 
moved, many would be found flocking into it. 
He accordingly hired a room, commenced lay- 
reading, invited such of his neighbours, as 
chose, to join him. For a time, the number 

of attendants was very small ; and Mrs. F 

was almost the only one to make the responses. 
The congregation, however, gradually and 
steadily increased. A lot containing four acres 
of land, which was sufficiently large for a 
burial ground, and other purposes, was pur- 
chased in the centre of the village; and in 


160 


THE HISTORY OF A 


process of time, a very neat, commodious, and 
well-arranged church-edifice was erected upon 
it. On the day of its consecration, the Bishop 
administered the holy rite of confirmation to 
thirty-nine persons. Through the zeal and 
enterprise of the parish, aided by the mission- 
ary fund of the diocese, a minister was now 
settled over them. The church was furnished 
with a bell, organ, and communion plate, and 
all other things necessary to the performance 
of the service, with decency and in order. 
Nor was there any burdensome debt incurred, 
by these operations ; all were paid for by con- 
tributions made in the village ; with the ex- 
ception of a few hundred dollars given by 
some benevolent individuals in the city of New 
York. In a few years after the church was 
completed, a neat and convenient parsonage 
house was also erected ; which contributed 
greatly to the comfort of the minister. My 
master lived to see the church well filled with 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


161 


worshippers, and more than seventy commu* 
nicants at its altar. He had established a 
Sunday-school, which he superintended him- 
self, and which numbered eighty scholars, and 
sixteen teachers, with a well selected library 
of five hundred volumes. And all these things 
were accomplished in the short space of ten 
years, from the time the church was first or- 
ganized. 

I have anticipated my history a little, to 
give the result of my master’s labours in the 
cause of the church. His death occurred . a 
few years after I left him. 


14 


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CHAPTER XIV. 


Unlooked for separation. — A young Convict. — Form of 
Prayer for the Visitation of Prisoners. — A penitent 
Criminal. — Advantage of Prayer Books in our State 
Prisons. — The Convict released. 


I HAD been with my master about five years, 
when I was unexpectedly separated from him, 
in the following singular and painful manner. 
One day while the family were all out, and I 
was lying upon the sofa in the parlour, the 
door being open, a young man stole hastily in, 
cast his eye around to see what he might most 
handily take, then seizing a gold watch from 
the mantel, and at the same time thrusting me 
into his /pocket, he made off, unperceived by 
any one. He was, however, soon after appre- 
hended, tried, convicted, and sentenced to the 
state’s prison for three years. On the day of 

trial, he exhibited strong feelings of remorse 

163 


164 


THE HISTORY OF A 


and penitence, which I have since had every 
reason to believe were truly sincere. 

My master, from whom he had stolen the 
watch, was so much affected by his appear- 
ance, for he was young in years, and probably 
young in crime, that he shed tears when sen- 
tence \vas pronounced against him. On his 
being remanded back to jail, this good man 
accompanied him, and begged him to take me 
with him to his prison, as a profitable compa- 
nion for his solitary hours. You will,’’ said 
my master, be allowed a Bible in your cell, 
which I earnestly pray you may study atten- 
tively, and with a sincere desire of being 
brought to a knowledge of your sinful and 
wretched state. You will there read, on the 
pages of divine truth, that the ^ wicked shall 
be turned into hell ;’ that, ^ except you repent 
and believe, you shall perish’ eternally ; at the 
same time, you will also read for your encour- 
agement, that if you do sincerely and earnestly 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


165 


repent you of your sins, and turn to Jesus 
Christ by a true and lively faith, though 
your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white 
as snow ; though they be red like crimson, 
they shall be as wool.’* In your solitary con- 
finement you will have much opportunity for 
serious reflection; and you will be forced, how- 
ever unwillingly, to call your sins to remem- 
brance. But if you repent and reform, there is 
yet a prospect of your being restored to the good 
opinion of the world, and becoming a useful and 
honourable member of society ; for, in conside- 
ration of your youth, your term of imprisonment 
is limited to the shortest space the law allows. 
This Prayer Book will serve to remind you of 
the crime for which you are now punished. 
Let me earnestly entreat you to use it dili- 
gently, as you have opportunity. Here are 
prayers particularly suited to your condition ; 


* Is. i. 18 . 


166 


THE HISTORY OF A 


especially the collects for Ash Wednesday, the 
general confession in the Communion Service, 
the Litany, and the penitential psalms ; which 
I will mark for you. But I would most 
strongly recommend • The form of Prayer for 
the visitation of Prisoners;’ begging you to 
read, again and again, the impressive exhor- 
tation which it contains. There can be no 
language more appropriate to your case ; and 
I therefore now address you in those very 
words, and ^Exhort you in the name of God, 
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Saviour, and 
as you tender your own salvation, to take good 
heed of these things in time, while the day of 
salvation lasteth ; for the night cometh, when 
no man can work. While you have the light, 
believe in the light, and walk as children of 
the light, that you be not cast into outer dark- 
ness ; that you may not knock when the door 
shall be shut ; and cry for mercy, when it is the 
time for justice. Now you are the object of 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


167 


God’s mercy, if by repentance and true faith, 
you turn unto him ; but if you neglect these 
things, you will be the object of his justice and 
vengeance. Now you may claim the merits 
of Christ ; but if you die in your sins, his suf- 
ferings will tend to your greater condem- 
nation. O beloved, consider in this your day, 
how fearful a thing it will be to fall into the 
hands of the living God, when you can neither 
fly to his mercy to protect you, nor to the 
merits of Christ to cover you in that terrible 
day.’ ” 

What effect this most solemn and affection- 
ate exhortation had upon the young criminal 
at the time, I could not determine. He sobbed 
and wept bitterly all the while my master was 
with him ; and when they parted, he only 
pressed his hand, and burst into a fresh flood 
of tears. I was pleased with these expres- 
sions of sensibility, because they plainly told 
that his heart was not altogether hardened in 


168 


THE HISTORY OF A 


crime ; and I hoped, that in time, divine grace 
would make it indeed such ^^a broken and 
contrite heart’^ as God has promised, not to 
despise.” 

When my master was removed to the pri- 
son, in the western part of the state, he took 
me with him, and was permitted to keep me 
in his cell. F or some weeks he seldom looked 
into me, or his Bible, and I began to fear the 
advice of my late master had been entirely 
forgotten. He wept almost incessantly ; and, 
when alone, he would often break forth into 
loud and passionate expressions of grief ; but 
his sorrow seemed to arise rather from the 
conviction of his having brought indelible 
disgrace on himself, and shame and distress on 
his widowed mother, than from a conscious- 
ness of his own sinfulness in the sight of God. 
Often, while occupying his narrow cell, would 
he make the most piteous apostrophes to his 
poor, broken-hearted mother, whose gray 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


169 


hairs, he said, he had brought down with 
sorrow to the grave.’’ 

As his grief became less violent, he "would 
occasionally take up his Bible and read a page 
or two, but apparently rather for the purpose 
of diverting his mind, and beguiling the tedious 
hours, than for obtaining spiritual benefit from 
it. As yet, I had remained altogether neg- 
lected ; but one day taking me up, he provi- 
dentially opened at the exhortation,” in the 
‘^Form for the visitation of Prisoners,” where 
my late master had turned down a leaf, that 
it might attract his attention. He commenced 
reading ; soon his mind became riveted to the 
subject; as he went on, he trembled from 
head to foot; large clammy drops stood on 
his pale forehead ; and when he came to that 
expression, O beloved, consider in this your 
day, how fearful a thing it will be to fall into 
the hands of the living God,” he exclaimed 
in the bitterest agony, What shall I do to 


170 


THE HISTORY OF A 


be saved Then striking his breast with his 
clenched hand, he cried out, God be merci- 
ful to me a sinner/’ It was the first prayer 
I had ever heard him utter ; it came from an 
humbled, contrite heart, and it entered into 
His ears, who heareth prayer,” and before 
whom the sighing of the prisoner” always 
comes. 

From that time, his Bible and Prayer Book 
became his constant study and delight. Again 
and again has he wept over the affecting story 
of the Prodigal Son, and then knelt down on 
the cold damp stones of his cell, and poured 
forth his soul in that penitential prayer, Al- 
mighty and everlasting God, who hatest no- 
thing that thou hast made, and dost forgive 
the sins of all those who are penitent ; create 
and make in me a new and contrite heart, that 
I, worthily lamenting my sins, and acknow- 
ledging my wretchedness, may obtain of thee, 
the God of all mercy, perfect remission and 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


171 


forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord.’^ 
Then he would turn to that humble confession 
in the Communion Service, Almighty God, 
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all 
things. Judge of all men ; I acknowledge and 
bewail my manifold sins and wickedness, 
which I from time to time most grievously 
have committed, by thought, word, and deed, 
against thy Divine Majesty ; provoking most 
justly thy wrath and indignation against me. 
I do earnestly repent, and am heartily sorry 
for these my misdoings ; the remembrance of 
them is grievous unto me ; the burden of them 
is intolerable. Have mercy upon me, have 
mercy upon me, most merciful Father ; for thy 
Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive me 
all that is past ; and grant that I may ever 
hereafter serve and please thee in newness of 
life, to the honour and glory of thy name, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Still con- 
tinuing on his knees, he would repeat, with 


172 


THE HISTORY OF A 


the greatest earnestness, portions of the fifty- 
first psalm ; Have mercy upon me, 0 God, 
after thy great goodness; according to the 
multitude of thy mercies, do away mine of- 
fences. Wash me thoroughly from my wick- 
edness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I 
acknowledge my faults ; and my sin is ever 
before me.^’ 

I remember in that deservedly popular little 
tract, The Dairyman’s Daughter,” an inter- 
esting anecdote is related of a very careless 
and profligate” person having received a 
deep and serious conviction of his sin and dan- 
ger, through some of the expressions contained 
in the burial service,” which he heard read at 
the grave. The case of my master was some- 
what similar ; he often referred to the ex- 
hortation,” before alluded to, as the instru- 
ment through divine grace, of bringing him to 
a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus.” 
There, in his deep lone cell, a banished man. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


173 


shut out from the sun, and from all intercourse 
with his fellow men, that solemn address had 
been made to carry conviction to his heart ; 
the bright beams of mercy had shone in upon 
him ; he was brought out of darkness and 
the shadow of death, into the glorious light 
and liberty of the sons of God by the grace 
of Christ he was made free indeed.” 

Since that event, ever to be remembered, I 
have often thought what a blessing would be 
conferred on the convicts in our prisons, if in 
addition to a Bible, each one was presented 
with a Prayer Book. Not only would they 
have, in our truly evangelical Liturgy, a clear 
and connected exhibition of the great truths 
of the gospel, but they would find in it ap- 
peals to the heart the most solemn and impres- 
sive, and prayers admirably suited to their 
circumstances and condition. 

At the expiration of his period of confine- 
ment, my master left the prison with very 
15 * 


174 


THE HISTORY OF A 


different views from those with which he had 
entered it. An entire change had been wrought 
in him, through the power of the Holy Ghost ; 
and he could now say, with David, O Lord 
my God, I cried unto thee; and thou hast 
heard me. Thou, Lord, hast brought my soul 
out of hell.’’* He brought me also out of 
the horrible pit, out of the mire and clay, and 
set my foot upon the rock, and ordered my 
goings. And he hath put a new song in my 
mouth, even a thanksgiving unto our God.”t 
He well knew that his crime and punish- 
ment had affixed a stigma upon his character, 
in the eyes of the world, which no subsequent 
good conduct could ever entirely remove. He 
therefore resolved to go to some distant part 
of the country, where he was unknown, and 
endeavour, by a life of industry and piety, 
again to become useful and respected in the 


*Ps. XXX. 2, 3. 


fPs. xl. 2,3. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


175 


world. His widowed mother had, more than 
a year before, gone down to the grave with a 
broken heart. Having therefore no earthly 
ties to bind him to his native place, he com- 
menced his journey eastward, intending to take 
passage in New York for some of the southern 
states. His Bible and Prayer Book were tied 
up, together with his slender amount of cloth- 
ing, in a small bundle, which he threw across 
his shoulder. Thus equipped, as he was tra- 
velling on foot along the road, I happened to 
fall out unperceived, and he went on, leaving 
me behind. 



CHAPTER XV. 


The Prayer Book again changes hands. — An aged Chris- 
tian widow. — Her character. — Acts of charity. — Sa- 
turday-school for the poor. 

A FEW hours after my master lost me, I 
was picked up by a little girl, who was re- 
turning home from school. She lived with 
her aged grandmother, a pious widow of three 
score and ten years. As she entered the 
house, her cheeks blooming with health and 
exercise, and her bright eyes sparkling with 
pleasure, she exclaimed, See, grandma, what 
a nice Prayer Book I have found. It is much 
better than the one you gave me a long time 
ago, and if you please, I intend taking it with 
me to the church every Sunday. I am very 
glad I found it.” 

^^But, my dear,” said the good old lady, 

you must recollect that you could not have 

177 


178 


THE HISTORY OF A 


found it, unless some one had lost it ; and I 
dare say, while you are rejoicing, he is griev- 
ing for his misfortune. And perhaps he can- 
not get another, whereas you could have done 
very well without it. We must make in- 
quiries and see if we cannot find the owner, 
and restore it to him again. I doubt not you 
would do so cheerfully.” 

^^That I would, grandmother; but if we 
cannot learn whose it is, then I suppose I may 
keep it myself.” 

“ Certainly, my child ; and I hope you will 
take good care of it, and derive much profit- 
able instruction from its evangelical pages. It 
is, as you say, a very good one, although old 
and considerably worn.” 

I was quite pleased with the appearance of 
this aged Christian, when I first saw her ; her 
look, her manner, her voice, were all expres- 
sive of those lovely graces and virtues, which 
adorn the true disciple of the blessed Jesus ; 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


179 


and 'which, I afterwards found, were more 
happily blended in her than in any individual 
I have ever known. I cannot attempt a full 
delineation of her character. She was truly 
a ‘^mother in Israel;” and, like Dorcas, whose 
praise is in the gospel, ^^was full of good 
works, and alms-deeds which she did.”* 
Blessed with a competency of this world’s 
goods, and considering herself an almoner of 
the bounties of Providence, her delight was 
to minister, in every possible way, to the wants 
of the poor, the sick, and the afflicted ; be- 
lieving what an apostle hath told us, that 
^^none of us liveth to himself.”t And yet, 
while all were celebrating her praises, while 
the poor spoke of her with the warmest affec- 
tion, as their best earthly friend, while the 
widows and orphans were fond of showing 
the coats and garments which she made” for 


* Acts ix. 36. 


t Rom. xiv. 7. 


180 THE HISTORY OF A 

them, she continued the same humble, unos- 
tentatious, single-hearted Christian ; altogether 
unconscious that she was doing more than 
others in her sphere of life. One of her most 
useful charities, which I take pleasure in re- 
cording, was a school of industry, which she 
had established in her own house. On every 
Saturday afternoon many of the poor female 
children of the village, those especially be- 
longing to the Sunday-school of her own 
church, to the number of thirty or forty, as- 
sembled at her house ; where she taught them 
to sew and knit, and employed them in making 
up coarse but comfortable clothing, for them- 
selves and their little brothers and sisters, that 
they might all appear decently clad at church 
on a Sunday. Thus, while the naked were 
clothed, they learned how to provide for them- 
selves, and acquired habits of industry and 
neatness, which rendered them useful to their 
parents at home. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


181 


F or ten years had this benevolent lady per- 
severed in her plans of training up the helpless 
children of the poor to industrious habits ; and 
every year brought fresh proofs of the utility 
of her scheme. It was a delightful privilege, 
which her friends often enjoyed, to enter the 
school-room on a Saturday afternoon, and see 
this venerable matron surrounded by her little 
pupils, all industriously at work with their 
needles, while the greatest order and stillness 
prevailed. But it was a much more gratifying 
spectacle to see them in their Sunday-school, 
or at church, comfortably and tidily dressed, 
in uniform frocks and bonnets which their own 
little hands had made. 

Thus passed the life of this widow, in acts 
of charity and mercy. She had been, for very 
many years, an humble follower of her blessed 
Master’s steps. Strongly attached to the 
church of her choice, and a conscientious ob- 
server of all its forms and ordinances, she dili- 
16 


182 


THE HISTORY OF A 


gently used them as aids to devotion, and 
means wisely provided to help her forward in 
her Christian course. While she carefully 
guarded against exalting the means of reli- 
gion to the same importance with the end, she 
never expected to attain the end without using 
the means.’’ Hence she was always to be 
seen in her place in church, not only on a 
Sunday, but on all those holy days, when it 
was opened for prayers alone. Her great de- 
light seemed to be in uniting in the solemn 
services of the sanctuary ; and you would 
have thought that, like Anna the prophetess, 
her desire was not to depart from the temple, 
but to serve God with fastings and prayers 
night and day.”* 

Both young and old sought her society ; for 
she was so kind and affectionate, so meek, and 
humble, and cheerful, that religion appeared 


* Luke vii. 37. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


183 


in her in all its simple loveliness and grace. 
Her conversation on religious subjects evi- 
dently flowed from a heart full of the mercies 
of God ; and her whole life was a beautiful 
exemplification of the power of godliness. 
Her religion was ‘^pure, peaceable, gentle, 
easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good 
fruits, without partiality and without hypocri- 
sy.’’ Hers was ‘^the ornament of a meek 
and quiet spirit, which is, in the sight of God, 
of great price.” She has long since gone to 
receive the rew^ard of those who diligently 
improve the talent entrusted to them, and are 
faithful unto death and her name will ever 
be held in grateful remembrance by all who 
knew her. The widow and the orphan, the 
poor, the sick, and the afflicted, whom it was her 
great delight to minister unto, will, as memory 
recalls to them her numberless acts of charity 
and mercy, ^^rise up and call her blessed.” 
As a proof of her unwearied perseverance in 


184 


THE HISTORY OF A 


well-doing, it may be mentioned, that at the 
time of her decease, her Saturday sewing 
school had been continued in her own house, 
without interruption, for about twenty years. 
Her interest in it was unabating to the last ; 
and a few days before her death, she said to 
one of her near relatives, What will my poor 
children do ?” That relative kindly promised 
to superintend them, and to continue this most 
useful and unostentatious charity; and well 
and faithfully has the promise been fulfilled. 
She continued the Saturday school in her own 
house, for five years ; and then converted it 
into an every-day school, where seventy poor 
children are instructed, at her sole expense, in 
reading, writing, sewing, knitting, the cate- 
chism, and church-music. But to return from 
this digression. After what has been said of 
the pious widow, with whom my mistress lived, 
it scarcely need be added, that she ^Mied in 
the confidence of a certain faith, in the com- 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


185 


fort of a reasonable, religious and holy hope.’’ 
That faith, that hope, was only in the cross.” 
She disclaimed all merit of her own ; feelingly 
bewailed her own unworthiness ; and expressed 
her entire and sole reliance on Christ her Sa- 
viour. With her faculties unimpaired, her 
mind clear to the last, she took an affectionate 
farewell of her numerous relatives, who were 
privileged to attend on her sick bed ; giving each 
of them some pious counsel and advice ; and 
then sweetly fell asleep in Jesus in the eighty- 
first year of her age ; having been a commu- 
nicant in the Church for more than sixty years. 
Her last words were, I die, and am happy.” 
How appropriate to her is that benediction 
from heaven, Blessed are the dead who die 
in the Lord ; even so saith the Spirit ; for they 
rest from their labours, and their works do 
follow them.”* 


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* Rev. xiv. 13. 








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CHAPTER XVI. 


The Prayer Book is presented to a Clergyman, who 
resigns his parish on account of ill health. — His last 
Sermon. — Leaves home for the South. — Sail down the 
Hudson. — ^Early Reminiscences. — Steamboat adven- 
ture. — ^Eloquent defence of the Church. — Obituary 
notice of Rev. Mr. N . 

It was my fortune to remain not much more 
than a year under the roof of this most ex- 
cellent lady; but the remembrance of those 
days is sweet. My young mistress, returning 
home one day from the Sunday-school, brought 
with her a neat new Prayer Book, which her 
minister had just presented her. As she show- 
ed it to her grandmother, she said, Do you 
know, grandma, that our dear Mr. N— — is 
about going to the south for his health, and 
next Sunday he preaches his farewell ser- 


187 


188 


THE HISTORY OF A 


Mrs. W replied that she knew it, for 

he had called the day before and informed her 
of his intentions. 

Oh, grandma !” said the little Charlotte, 
how pale he looks, all but that little red 
spot on his cheek, and how short he breathes ; 
and then he seems so feeble, I was afraid he 
would sink down in the pulpit. Do you think, 
dear grandmother, he will die 

I hope, my child, his useful life will be 
spared ; but I fear his disease is too deeply 
seated ever to be removed; he himself has 
very little expectation of recovering. All 
things, however, are possible with God, and 
if He please ^ He can even yet raise him up 
and grant him a longer continuance amongst 
us and with due submission to the divine will, 
I would humbly pray that he may live many 
years. His death would he a sore affliction 
to his friends, and a severe loss to the Church 
of Christ.’^ 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


189 


But is it not strange, grandma, that such 
good men, so young, so useful, and so much 
beloved, should be removed out of the world, 
while so many wicked, and profane, and worth- 
less persons are spared ?” 

The dispensations of Providence, my dear 
Charlotte, are often very mysterious, although 
we doubt not they are ever righteous, mer- 
ciful and wise. You know what the Scrip- 
ture says, ^ the righteous is taken away from 
the evil to come,’* while ^ the wicked is re- 
served to the day of destruction.’! Mr. N — 
appears to be a Christian, ripe for glory, and 
God may see fit to take him speedily to his 
reward ; besides, I fear we do not deserve a 
man of such eminent piety and talents, and 
God may also think proper to remove this 
burning and shining light, as a just punish- 
ment for our sins, in not having profited. 


* Is. Ivii. 1. 


t Job xxi. 30. 


190 


THE HISTORY OF A 


as we ought, by his faithful and zealous la- 
bours.” 

O, how I wish,” said the little girl, you 
had been at our Sunday-school to-day ; Mr. 
N addressed the scholars very affec- 

tionately ; and when he spoke of leaving us 
in a week or two, every scholar in the school 
burst into tears ; for we all love him dearly. 
He said if he should ever return, he hoped to 
hear that we had all been good and dutiful 
children, and had improved by the instruction 
of our teachers ; growing in grace as we grew 
in age. But if he should not come back, he 
hoped we would always keep in mind what 
he was going to say to us from those words of 
Solomon, ^ Remember now thy Creator in the 
days of thy youth.’* And he then went on 
to tell us, that none of us were too young to 
remember our Creator ; and that it was im- 


* Eccles. xii. 1. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


191 


portant that we should do it now, for we know 
not how soon we must die. He said that Christ 
loved little children; and when he was on 
earth he took them in his arms, and blessed 

them, and said ^ of such is the kingdom of 
heaven but then we must be good children 
if we would have Christ love us; and we 
must pray to God to change our hearts, for 
the hearts of children are naturally very 
wicked ; and we must learn to love God and 
our neighbours, and do as our Bible tells us, 
and as our parents and teachers bid us, and 

then, whenever we die, we shall go to heaven ; 
and he hoped we should all meet again there, 
if we met no more on earth. I will try to 
remember all he said, and will pray to our 
Heavenly Father to make me remember it as 
long as I live. He gave each of us a Prayer 
Book, and I saw the tears come into his eyes 
as he laid his hands upon my head and said, 
^ God preserve and bless you, my dear little 


192 


THE HISTORY OF A 


Charlotte.’ As I was coming home, I thought 
how happy I should feel if I had any little 
thing to give him to remember me by. You 
know he has been so much at our house, and 
when my dear father died he was so attentive 
and kind to us all, that I love him as a bro- 
ther. And then I thought, if you would al- 
low me, I would give him the Prayer Book I 
found last year, as he has given me a new one 
to-day ; and I dare say, whenever he sees it, 
he will think of his ^ dear little Charlotte,’ as 
he used to call me.” 

The good old lady was pleased with this ex- 
pression of kindness on the part of her beloved 
grand-daughter ; and, wdth her consent, I was 
the next day presented to her minister, Mr. 

N . He was gratified with this new proof 

of the child’s affection, and promised to keep 
me by him as a token of her love. 

The following Sunday he preached his last 
discourse, from those words of the Apostle 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


193 


Paul, And now, behold, I know that ye all, 
among whom I have gone preaching the king- 
dom of God, shall see my face no more.’’* 
He spoke of his approaching death with the 
greatest composure, and said that in going to 
a milder climate, he rather yielded to the 
urgent solicitations of his friends, than to any 
expectation he himself had of being benefited 
by it. 

His exhortation to his people was eloquent 
and affecting in the highest degree. The whole 
congregation were dissolved in tears, as they 
listened to the persuasive language of the dying 
man. He conjured them not to depart from 
that church to which they had professed an 
attachment ; but to keep steadily in the old 
paths,” to hold fast the form of sound 
words,” and earnestly contend for the faith 
which was once delivered unto the saints.” 


17 


* Acts XX. 25. 


194 


THE HISTORY OF A 


Then, quoting the words of a late pious pre- 
late, he said, with great emphasis, Should 
you at any time be tempted to go away from 
your church, say with unshaken attachment, 
To whom should we go ? Here are pure doc- 
trine, and a primitive ministry and discipline, 
here are the words of eternal life, and w^e 
know and are sure that if we fail of obtaining 
eternal felicity, the loss must be attributed to 
our own neglect.’’ After an earnest persua- 
sion, to all his hearers, to strive to enter in 
at the strait gate,” and to ^^give diligence to 
make their calling and election sure,” while 
the day of salvation lasted, he closed with 
those words of the Apostle, ^^And now, bre- 
thren, I commend you to God, and to the 
word of his grace, which is able to build you 
up, and to give you an inheritance among all 
them which are sanctified.”* 


* Acts XX. 32. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


195 


The next day he took his departure for the 
south. He travelled by slow and easy stages, 
until he reached the Hudson ; there he went 
on board a steamboat ; and, attended by a sin- 
gle friend, he proceeded to New York. An 
incident occurred, on his passage down the 
river, which deserves to be recorded ; as it 
serves to show how all the kindliest charities 
of life, and the holiest affections of the heart, 
may be outraged, by persons of more zeal than 
knowledge, and more bigotry and cant, than 
good manners or good feeling. 

My master had retired to the upper deck, 
far away from the gay and noisy crowd of 
passengers, that he might indulge, in solitude, 
his mournful meditations. There he sat alone, 
wrapped up in the ample folds of his cloak, to 
guard against the dews of evening, which now 
began to fall. His friend was pacing the deck 
in silence, while my master’s thoughts were 
far away with that beloved flock which he 


196 


THE HISTORY OF A 


had just left ; or with that dear fire-side circle, 
that bright band of sisters, whom he was never 
to see again on earth. The memory of de- 
parted days came over him with a pleasing 
sadness, and the tear stole unbidden to his 
eye, and coursed down his cheek. Just then 
the boat was passing his native village, which 
stood on the western bank of the Hudson. It 
arrested his attention, and at once diverted his 
thoughts to another, but not less melancholy 
channel. The sun had sunk below the hori- 
zon, leaving a rich crimson glow behind ; and 
directly over his native town, shone forth in 
all its brightness and beauty, the liquid eye 
of eve,’’ a fit emblem of his pure spirit which 
was soon to shine forth, like that star, for ever 
and ever. The house where he was born, the 
church in which he was baptized, and where 
he had so often worshipped, were distinctly to 
be seen, as the boat glided along. He riveted 
his eye upon them, and memory, busy memo- 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


197 


ry, was occupied with the scenes of by-gone 
days, when the train of his meditations was 
rudely broken by a tall, gaunt personage in 
black, who thus accosted him, And so I hear 
you are going to the south for your health ?” 
My master replied by a slight inclination of 
the head, and a momentary pause ensued ; but 
the stranger was not thus easily shaken off ; 
lengthening his thin, dark visage, he began, in 
a whining tone, by telling my master that he 
looked as if he would not live long ; that, un- 
derstanding he was an Episcopalian, and feel- 
ing a deep interest in his soul’s welfare, he 
considered it his duty to tell him that he 
thought his state a most dangerous one. Epis- 
copalians, he said, do not believe in the ne- 
cessity of a change of heart ; they rely on their 
good works, not on the merits of Christ ; and 
whoever belongs to this corrupt church, must 
abjure her errors and come out from her. 
Many other things he uttered against the 

17 # 


193 


THE HISTORY OF A 


church, in the same coarse and unfeeling 
strain. 

Neither the boldness nor the vulgarity of 
this attack discomposed or intimidated my 
young master. He heard the unknown assail- 
ant patiently through ; but when he spoke of 
abjuring his faith, a flush of indignation man- 
tled over his pale face. He rose, and elevating 
his manly form, he replied with a dignity and 
mildness befitting a minister of Christ, and in 
a strain of eloquence which I have never heard 
surpassed. He spoke with the utmost calm- 
ness of his own dissolution, as an event not 
far distant, and as one which he trusted, 
through the merits and mercies of his divine 
Redeemer, would consummate his felicity. 
^^And why,” he said, should I fear to die in 
the bosom of that Church which is ^ built on 
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, 
Jes-us Christ himself being the chief corner 
stone V Can I, a minister of the Episcopal 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


199 


Church in these United States, forget that we 
boast our origin from a Church which, in re- 
ference to the soundness of her principles, the 
talents and piety of her clergy, and her efforts 
in the cause of the reformation, still maintains 
the proud title which at the first she acquired, 
of being the glory of the Reformed Churches ; 
a Church which Cranmer, and Latimer, and 
Ridley enriched by their blood; in whose 
cause Chillingw’orth, and Hooker, and Hors- 
ley, exerted the strongest powers of intellect, 
and employed the most varied and profound 
erudition ; which Barrow, Tillotson, Porteus, 
honoured by their eloquence ; in which An- 
drews, and Taylor, and Horne, displayed the 
lustre of a fervent piety ; a Church which, 
striking off the infirmities, the lukewarmness, 
and the weakness of old age, now comes forth 
in the vigour of apostolic youth, to carry the 
cross of the Saviour, that pledge of salvation, 
to the strongholds of pagan power ; and to illu- 


200 


THE HISTORY OF A 


minate, with the light of scriptural truth, the 
regions where error and superstition have held 
their reign 

As my master pronounced this last eloquent 
period, the language of an eminent living pre- 
late, the stranger slunk away, without a word 

in reply; and Mr. N retired, exhausted 

with fatigue, to his birth in the cabin. 

He took passage in the first packet which 
sailed from New York to Charleston; and for 
a time, the sea air and the balmy breezes of 
the south seemed to revive him; but he 
speedily sunk under his disease, and his spirit 
took its flight to the mansions of eternal rest 
and blessedness. 

Shortly after his death, the following obi- 
tuary notice appeared in one of the religious 
periodicals of the day ; which, out of respect 
to his memory, I take the liberty to tran- 
scribe. 

^^Died, at Charleston, on a journey for his 


POCKET PRA.YER BOOK. 


201 


health, the Rev. W. H. N . By an in- 

tense application to study, and diligent dis- 
charge of parochial duties, he induced a con- 
sumptive disease, which terminated in dissolu- 
tion. A young man, dear to his parents and 
friends, dear to the congregation who had 
been blessed with his ministerial labours, and 
dear to the Church in general, he will long be 
remembered and lamented. Seldom have w^e 
been called to notice so promising a flower in 
the Church, blighted before it was full blown. 
Possessing genius, education, and talents, which 
fitted him for usefulness, he adorned them by a 
piety and virtue, surpassed by that of few of the 
same age. Well instructed in the principles of 
the Church, and under the most thorough con- 
viction of their accordance with the gospel, he 
was scrupulously exact in the observance of 
her requisitions, and in the respect and rever- 
ence due to her established authorities. He 
had a solidity and firmness of character highly 


202 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 

becoming the sacred office. As a man, he was 
respected and beloved, because amiable and 
sincere ; and as a Christian minister, faithful, 
circumspect, and exemplary. He is gone. 
Thus doth the providence of God, in wisdom 
which we cannot comprehend, see fit to take 
from us the young as well as the aged. And 
thus ^in the midst of life we are in death.^ 
Blessed are those who, in ^ the communion of 
the Catholic Church,’ are met by death, ^ in 
the confidence of a certain faith, in the com- 
fort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope, 
in favour with God, and in perfect charity with 
all the world.’ In such a state, we trust, the 
subject of these remarks departed the present 
for a better life.” 


CHAPTER XVIL 


The Prayer Book is given to a sailor. — Good advice. — 
Forms of prayer to be used at sea. — Mariner’s church. 
— Sailor’s home. — Voyage to Liverpool. — Daily ser- 
vice on ship-board. — Return voyage. Sickness and 
death. — Burial at Sea. 

While my master was confined by illness 
to his boarding house in Charleston, he was 
frequently visited by one of the sailors on 
board the ship in which he came passenger 
from New York; a young man whom he had 
known from childhood, and for whom he felt 
a lively interest. On one of the visits, a few 
days before my master’s decease, he presented 
me to this young seaman, as a token of his 
regard, begging him to keep me for his sake, 
and to make me the constant companion of his 
solitary hours. You will find this book, he 
said, next to the Bible, precious far above all 

other volumes, while you are journeying on 

203 


204 


THE HISTORY OF A 


the great deep. The greater part of it is in 
the very words of scripture ; and all of it is in 
harmony with the doctrines and precepts of 
the inspired volume. Wherever you may be, 
or in whatever circumstances you are placed, 
on sea, on land, in calm or storm, here are to 
be found forms of devotion suited to your par- 
ticular case. 

It would be well if sailors, before leaving 
home, would agree with their friends, whom 
they leave behind, their parents, brothers, sis- 
ters, wife, children, or whoever are dearest to 
them, that, on a certain hour, every day, they 
would each of them read certain portions of 
the liturgy. Thus, whether on the great deep, 
or in a foreign land, they would have the de- 
lightful consciousness that, at those times 
especially, their distant friends were present 
with them in spirit ; that they still had a place 
in their memories and in their hearts. The 
Prayer Book might thus be made a golden 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


205 


link in that chain of sympathy which binds 
the sailor and his family together, though 
oceans roll between them. 

One portion of it is framed expressly for 
those who go down to the sea in ships, and 
occupy their business in great waters.’’ Nor 
is it possible to conceive of a service more ap- 
propriate than these forms of prayer to be 
used at sea or better calculated to lift the 
thoughts and heart to Him, who hath mea- 
sured the waters in the hollow of his hand 
who ruleth the raging of the sea, and stilleth 
the waves thereof when they arise.” I advise 
you to commit to memory some portions of 
this service, that so, in the dark watches of 
the night, or in the violence of storms, when 
the waves of the sea are mighty, and rage 
horribly,” you may have a suitable form 
of words with which to offer your prayers 
to the Lord who dwelleth on high who 

alone can deliver you out of your distress, 

18 


206 


THE HISTORY OF A 


making ^^the storm to cease, so that the waves 
thereof are still and who alone can speak 
peace to your affrighted heart, saying, It is 
I, be not afraid.’’ Let me particularly recom- 
mend to you, for this purpose, the Prayers 
to be used in a storm at sea the short 
prayers in respect of a storm the thanks- 
giving after a storm consisting of the sixty- 
sixth and one hundred and seventh Psalms; 
and the ^^hymn of praise and thanksgiving 
after a dangerous tempest which is also a 
selection from the Psalms. These are soon 
learned, and may prove a comfort to you in 
times of your greatest need. 

And now, my young friend, he added, and 
his countenance lighted up with a saintly ex- 
pression, while his voice assumed a more sub- 
dued and solemn tone, I am about to leave 
this world of sorrow and sin, and, I humbly 
trust, I shall soon ^ be with Christ, which is 
far better.’ Let me speak to you as a dying 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


207 


man, who can now realize the vanity of all 
earthly things, and the necessity of seeking 
first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. 
You were baptized in infancy ; you were con- 
firmed a few years since, and have been to the 
holy communion, whenever an opportunity 
offered. You have a Bible which a pious 
mother, now in paradise, gave you, when you 
first left the parental roof, to become ^ a wan- 
derer in the world’s wide way.’ Let that 
blessed book be ever a lamp unto your feet, 
and a light unto your path ; and you cannot 
then walk in darkness, for you shall have the 
light of life. So study and so practise its holy 
precepts, that when your change comes, you 
may have the comfortable hope of meeting 
that mother in the mansions of glory. I need 
not say that the richest treasure which you 
can possess on earth is this inspired volume, 
God’s own word to man ; and next to that 
is the Book of Common Prayer, which I 


i 


208 


THE HISTORY OF A 


now present you, and which has been my 
constant companion. Keep it for my sake, 
for your own sake, as a precious gift; and 
whenever you look upon it, remember these 
my parting words. You are engaged in a 
pursuit, which is supposed to be surrounded 
with greater temptations than almost any 
other ; and yet it is one which ought to make 
those who follow it, always serious and devout. 
How strikingly does the Psalmist describe the 
dangers of the ocean, the power and good- 
ness of Almighty God in ruling it, and the 
gratitude which they ought to feel, who ex- 
perience his merciful deliverance. ^ They that 
go down to the sea in ships ; and occupy their 
business in great waters ; these men see the 
works of the Lord, and his wonders in the 
deep. For at his word the stormy wind 
ariseth ; which lifteth up the waves thereof. 
They are carried up to the heaven, and down 
again to the deep ; their soul melteth away 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


209 


because of the trouble. They reel to and fro, 
and stagger like a drunken man ; and are at 
their wit’s end. So when they cry unto the 
Lord in their trouble, he delivereth them out 
of their distress. For he maketh the storm 
to cease, so that the waves thereof are still. 
Then are they glad, because they are at rest ; 
and so he bringeth them unto the haven where 
they would be. O that men would therefore 
praise the Lord for his goodness ; and declare 
the wonders that he doeth for the children of 
men !’ 

It has been my fortune, in former years, 
to be much with sailors, and to know the moral 
dangers and temptations to which they are 
exposed ; and I agree entirely with a late 
eminent and eloquent divine, who says, ^ If 
there be a class of individuals who, on all ac- 
counts, have a more than common claim on 


Ps. cvii. 23—31. 


18 * 


210 


THE HISTORY OF A 


the sympathy of Christians, because more than 
commonly exposed to moral tempests and 
dangers, may we not select sailors as that 
class ; men whose business is in great waters, 
w^ho from boyhood have been at home on the 
sea, whether in storm or calm ; but whose op- 
portunities of Christian instruction are, for the 
most part, wretchedly small ; and who learn 
to steer to every harbour except that which 
lieth within the veil? The religious public 
have much to answer for on account of the 
neglect — of course we speak comparatively — 
which they have manifested towards sailors. 
Very little has ever yet been done towards 
ameliorating their moral condition. So soon 
as the sailor returns to port, after having been 
long tossed on distant seas, he is surrounded 
by miscreants, who seek to entice him to 
scenes of the worst profligacy, that they may 
possess themselves of his hard-earned gains. 
And Christian philanthropy has been very 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


211 


slow in stepping in, and offering an asylum to 
the sailor, where he may be secure against the 
villany which would ruin body and soul. 
Christian philanthropy has been very slow in 
taking measures for providing, that, when he 
returned from his wanderings — probably to 
find many in the grave who had sent anxious 
thoughts after him as he ploughed the great 
deep, and who had vainly hoped to welcome 
him back — he should have the gospel preached 
to him, and the ministers of Christianity to 
counsel, and admonish, and encourage him. 
It is vain to say, that our churches have been 
open, and that the sailor, as well as the lands- 
man, might enter, and hear the glad tidings 
of redemption. You are to remember, that 
for months, and perhaps even years, the sailor 
has been debarred from the means of grace ; 
he has been in strange climes, where he has 
seen nothing but idolatry ; even the forms of 
religion have been altogether kept from him ; 


212 


THE HISTORY OF A 


and now he requires to be sought out, and en- 
treated ; and unless in some peculiar mode you 
bring the gospel to him, the likelihood is the 
very smallest, of his seeking it for himself/ ” 

‘ When I plead the cause of sailors, it seems 
to me as though the hurricane and the battle, 
the ocean with its crested billows, and war 
with its magnificently stern retinue, met and 
mingled to give force to the appeal. It seems 
as though stranded navies, the thousands who 
have gone down with the waves for their 
winding-sheet, and who await in unfathomable 
caverns, the shrill trumpet-peal of the arch- 
angel, rose to admonish us of the vast debt we 
owe those brave fellows who are continually 
jeoparding their lives in our service. And 
then there comes also before me the imagery 
of a mother, who has parted, with many 
tears and many forebodings, from her sailor- 
boy ; whose thoughts have accompanied him, 
as none but those of a mother can, in his long 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


213 


wanderings over the deep, and who would re- 
joice with all a mother’s gladness, to know 
that where his moral danger was perhaps 
greatest, there was a church to receive him, 
and a minister to counsel him.’ 

We have reason to bless God that such 
appeals as these to the sympathies of Christian 
philanthropists have not been in vain ; that of 
late years more earnest efforts have been put 
forth, and more liberal appropriations have 
been made, to provide Christian instruction 
for sailors. In many of the ports which you 
may visit, both in our own country and in 
England, you will find Episcopal churches, 
which are free to seamen and their families ; 
and a sailor’s home ; and I cannot urge upon 
you too earnestly the importance of both these 
to your temporal and spiritual welfare. In 
New York there are two, and in Philadelphia 


* MelvilPs Sermons, pp. 413, 415. 


214 


THE HISTORY OF A 


there is, perhaps, the handsomest seamen’s 
church in the world ; known as ^ The Floating 
Church of the Redeemer.’ If you live on 
shore, seek for lodgings in a sailor’s home, 
and never neglect the services of the seaman’s 
church. Be sure always to take your Prayer 
Book with you, and join in the responses. 
Make yourself known to the minister; and 
should sickness, or other misfortune visit 
you, do not fail to ask for his advice and 
assistance; in every difficulty you will find 
him your safest counsellor and friend. Above 
all, let it be your chief care to keep at the 
greatest possible distance from temptation; 
avoid all scenes of riot and drunkenness ; go 
not in the way of sinners nor sit in the seat 
of the scornful ; but strive to walk always in 
the fear of God, and in the way of his com- 
mandments. You remember what the Apostle 
Paul says, ‘We have fled for refuge to lay 
hold upon the hope set before us ; which hope 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


215 


we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure 
and stedfast, and which entereth into that 
within the veil.’* By this he means, that hope 
is the anchor of the soul, which fastens it to hea- 
ven ; ^ that the Christian, whilst tossing on a tem- 
pestuous sea, is fast bound to another scene of 
being ; and that, whilst the vessel is on the wa- 
ters of time, the anchor is on the rock of eternity. 
The anchor has not been dropped in the rough 
waters which the Christian has to navigate ; it 
rests where there is one eternal calm, and its 
hold is on a rock, which no action of the 
waves can wear down.’ Cast your anchor, 
therefore, within the veil, for nowhere else can 
the soul find safe anchorage. Do not drop it 
down in the troubled sea of life, nor suffer it 
to fasten on any thing this side of the grave. 
In the smooth, calm haven of eternal rest, and 
there alone, it will seize fast hold of the Rock 


* Heb. vi. 18, 19. 


216 


THE HISTORY OF A 


of Ages ; and when your tempest-tossed bark 
has weathered out the storm, it shall be 
drawn into the desired harbour, and float se- 
curel j and forever on its tranquil bosom. In 
the beautiful language of one of our hymns — 

^ There, anchored safe, your weary soul 
Shall find eternal rest ; 

Nor storms shall beat, nor billows roll, 

Across your peaceful breast.’ ’’ 

The young man listened attentively to this 
affectionate counsel, and I thought I saw a 
tear, now and then, glistening in his eye ; for 
he was, like most sailors, tender-hearted, and 
possessed of noble and generous feelings. He 
evidently strove to conceal his emotions ; and 

when Mr. N had finished, he grasped his 

hand and bade him a last and hurried fare- 
well. In a few days he sailed for Liverpool. 
It providentially happened that the captain of 
the ship was a pious man, who called the 


POCKET PRATER BOOK. 


217 


crew together each day, when the weather 
permitted, and read a portion of the Bible, and 
then made use of some of the prayers in the 
liturgy. As the ship had been supplied with 
Prayer Books, before leaving port, these were 
distributed among the officers and men, many 
of whom united in the responses, and thus 
gave additional interest to the service. On 
our arrival in Liverpool, my master took lodg- 
ings in a very comfortable sailor’s home, 
where there w^as a library and reading-room, 
and where family worship was observed, each 
night and morning. On Sundays he went to 
the Seamen’s Floating Church ; and, on his 
first visit there, he made himself known to the 
minister, who spoke a few kind words to him, 
and gave him some religious books and tracts. 
It being communion Sunday, he had the pri- 
vilege of receiving the sacred memorials of a 
dying Saviour’s love ; and it proved to be his 
last communion. The frequent opportunities 


218 


THE HISTORY OF A 


■which he now enjoyed of the means of grace, 
and which he diligently improved, were evi- 
dently blessed by the Holy Spirit ; and he ap- 
peared to be growing daily more and more 
fitted for that eternal state upon which he was 
soon to enter. The ship had been but a few 
days at sea, on her return voyage to New 
York, when my young master was seized with 
a violent disease, which, in less than a week, 
terminated his short life. From the moment 
when he was first taken ill, he seemed to think 
that he should not recover. Although suffer- 
ing much pain at times, he was perfectly pa- 
tient and resigned ; and expressed his humble 
hope of forgiveness and acceptance with God, 
through the merits and mercies of Christ our 
Redeemer. Calling the captain one day to his 
birth, and handing to him his mother’s Bible, 
he asked him to read aloud the fourteenth 
chapter of St. John’s gospel. When this was 
done, he took me from under his pillow, and 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


219 


requested him also to read a part of the order 
for the visitation of the sick/’ together with 
the prayer for a sick person, when there ap- 
peareth but small hope of recovery.” The 
portion of scripture and the prayers, which 
the captain read with great devotion and feel- 
ing, greatly comforted my master ; and in a 
few hours after, he calmly fell asleep in Jesus. 

The next day the usual preparations were 
made for his funeral. The body, enclosed in 
canvass, with a heavy weight at the foot to 
facilitate its sinking, was laid upon a board, 
covered with the ship’s flag, and placed in the 
gangway, ready, at the appointed moment, to 
be committed to the bosom of the ocean. All 
hands were summoned on deck to witness the 
solemn ceremony. It was indeed a sublime 
scene, such as could not fail to impress every 
beholder with reverence and awe. The sea 
was perfectly calm, and the ship lay almost 
motionless on its tranquil surface, only rising 


220 


THE HISTORY OF A 


and falling with the slowly heaving billows ; 
the sun was just sinking to rest in the western 
waves, and his bright beams shone like molten 
gold over the waste of waters. The captain 
stood at the head of the corpse, with his men 
around him, and began those w^ords of com- 
fort and hope, I am the resurrection and the 
life, saith the Lord.’’ As he went on with 
the admirable burial-service, all eyes were 
filled with tears ; and never shall I forget the 
thrilling effect of those sublime words, For- 
asmuch as it hath pleased almighty God, in his 
wise providence, to take out of this world the 
soul of our deceased brother, we therefore 
commit his body to the deep, to be turned 
into corruption, looking for the resurrection of 
the body when the sea shall give up her dead, 
and the life of the world to come, through our 
Lord Jesus Christ ; who at his coming shall 
change our vile body, that it may be like his 
glorious body, according to the mighty work- 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


221 


ing whereby he is able to subdue all things 
unto himself/’ When these words had been 
said, the last remains of my dear master were 
plunged into the sea, to sink down into its 
lowest depths ; but his spirit, I trust, was on 
high, in the calm haven of eternal rest. 

On the arrival of the ship in New York, his 
effects were sent to his friends in the western 
part of the state ; and I was soon after pre- 
sented to the clergyman with whom I now 
remain. 


19 * 


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CHAPTER XVIII. 


Visit to the Oneida Indians, in New York. — Interesting 
religious services among them. — Confirmation. — Com- 
munion. — An Indian Council. — The Liturgy admira- 
bly adapted to the circumstances of the heathen. — Duty 
of Christians in reference to the Indian tribes. 

Several years have passed away since I 
became the property of my present master; 
and it has been my privilege to travel with 
him through most of the United States. In 
the course of my travels, I have witnessed 
many interesting and instructive scenes^ which 
might be detailed, were it not that I am afraid 
of protracting my history to an unreasonable 
length. Some events however have occurred, 
since those related in the last chapter, which 
are too important to be omitted in a history 
like this, and which I shall therefore now re- 
late. 


223 


224 


THE HISTORY OF A 


The first was, the visit of Bishop H to 

the Indian settlement at Oneida Castle, in the 
western part of the State of New York. The 
Bishop, at that time on one of his diocesan 
tours, passed a night at my master’s house, and 
invited him to go with him the next day to 
see the Oneidas. My master, pleased with so 
favourable an opportunity of visiting this in- 
teresting people, arose very early, and putting 
me in his pocket, proceeded with the Bishop 
to the Castle. It was a delightful morning in 
September ; the air was fresh and exhilarating ; 
and, as they had about twenty miles to ride, 
the top of their carriage was thrown back, 
that they might have an uninterrupted view 
of the country through which they travelled. 
I mention this last circumstance, in order to 
convey a more distinct idea of the scene which 
follows. 

Information having been previously con- 
veyed to the Indians, of the Bishop’s intended 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


225 


visit, a party of fifty or sixty of their tribe, 
with their chiefs and interpreter, came out 
several miles on horseback to meet him, and 
to escort him to their church. They had been 
waiting on the road for several hours; and 
when they saw us approach, they hastily re- 
mounted their horses, arranged themselves on 
each side of us, in single file ; and, thus at- 
tended, we proceeded on towards their settle- 
ment. It was indeed a novel spectacle, and a 
most gratifying proof of the affection which 
these natives bore towards their spiritual fa- 
ther. Never shall I forget the delight with 
which the Bishop, rubbing his hands, ex- 
claimed, ^^What would some of my Lords 
Bishops of England say to this ? The Bishop 
of New York, in a one-horse carriage, driven 
by one of his presbyters, escorted by half 
a hundred natives of the forest, dressed 
in their fanciful costume, and all going to 
witness and participate in the most solemn 


226 


THE HISTORY OF A 


Christian ordinances; and in a church, too, 
erected by these Indians themselves As the 
procession moved along, groups of Indian 
women and children, with their clean white 
blankets, some with blue mantles, wrapped 
around them, might be seen hurrying across 
the fields towards their place of worship. 
This was a neat edifice of wood, standing in 
a retired and quiet spot, and possessing all the 
requisites for a decent and orderly perform- 
ance of the service. The Bishop, and such 
of the neighbouring clergy as could be pre- 
sent, having taken their seats in the chancel, 
the services commenced with a few verses 
from the Psalms, translated into Indian, and 
sung by about one hundred natives in the gal- 
lery, with whom many of those below united. 
The church was entirely filled ; and it was 
estimated that more than five hundred of the 
persons present were Indians. A more devout 
and attentive audience I have never seen. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


227 


There is always, indeed, an appearance of 
gravity and decorum in the Indians, which is 
peculiarly impressive, as they stand or kneel, 
with their eyes cast down, and their mantles 
wrapped closely over their heads. Nothing 
can be more striking than the reverence with 
which the pious Indian approaches the altar, 
to receive the holy communion. Those who 
have witnessed it once will never forget it. 
On the occasion now alluded to, the usual ser- 
vice, which consists of a literal translation of 
the liturgy into the Mohawk tongue, was read 
by their catechist and teacher, in which the 
whole congregation united with much appa- 
rent seriousness and devotion. The responses 
were made in an audible and solemn tone, and 
the hymns of praise were chanted forth by 
hundreds of voices, in a manner which proved 
that they sang with the spirit, and with the 
understanding also.” 

Immediately after prayers, the holy rite of 


228 


THE HISTORY OF A 


confirmation was administered to ninety-four 
native Indians, and three whites, who had 
been previously instructed for that purpose ; 
and after that, about fifty partook of the holy 
sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Never have 
I witnessed a more impressive and solemn 
scene. To behold nearly one hundred of these 
once wild sons of the forest, not only civilized, 
but Christianized, and coming forward of their 
own accord, to renew and ratify the solemn 
VOW’ which was made at their baptism pub- 
licly renouncing their idolatry, and openly 
professing the faith of Christ crucified 
what heart could remain unaffected at the 
sight ? 

The nature of the service was evidently 
perfectly well understood by them ; and if we 
may form an opinion from the seriousness and 
humility of their demeanour, and it is only by 
the outward appearance” that man can 
judge, they all came forward with sincere and 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


229 


pious resolutions of living agreeably to their 
solemn engagements. After confirmation and 
the communion were administered, the Bishop 
addressed them, through the medium of an 
interpreter, in his usual affectionate and im- 
pressive manner ; but in the plainest and most 
simple language, suited to their comprehension. 
He was listened to with the profoundest atten- 
tion and respect, for they looked up to him as 
their spiritual father, and always addressed 
him by that endearing title. 

At the request of some of their chief men, 
the Bishop afterwards met about two hundred 
chiefs and warriors in council, on their ancient 
council ground at Butternut-grove. The war- 
riors, as they are termed, or principal men of 
the nation, to the number of one hundred and 
eighty, were stated on the ground in a large 
circle, and within that about fifteen or twenty 
chiefs were ranged* in a circle around the Bishop 
and his attending clergy, for whom chairs had 


230 


THE HISTORY OF A 


been provided in the centre. One of the chiefs 
then rose and explained, through an interpre- 
ter, the object of this council, which was to 
obtain their ‘^Father’s” advice in relation to 
some difficulties at present existing in a remote 
part of the tribe. The Bishop gave them the 
solicited advice, in a very friendly and affec- 
tionate manner ; and after he sat down, the 
council was addressed by the chief orator of 
their nation,” in a most animated, and, judging 
from the effect produced, in a most eloquent 
speech. The whole scene was highly pic- 
turesque, and would have afforded an admira- 
ble subject for the pencil of the artist. The 
chiefs and warriors, ranged after their ancient 
custom, in concentric circles around their spirit- 
ual father, listening with respectful and pro- 
found attention to his Christian counsel ; the 
numerous little groups of Indian women and 
children, scattered all around, as near the 
outer circle as they could conveniently ap- 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


231 


proach, and where they might hear the differ- 
ent speakers, the beautiful grove, waving its 
rich foliage above their heads, the luxuriant 
fields of grain around, the fruit of their own 
labour and industry, formed altogether a pic- 
ture on which the eye of the Christian or the 
painter might repose with delight. It brought 
to my mind the celebrated interview” and treaty 
of William Penn, with the Indians of Penn- 
sylvania. 

At the conclusion of the council, the head 
chief presented the Bishop with a string of 
wampum, in the name of the whole tribe, as 
a token of respect, and a solemn pledge of 
their unshaken fidelity. 

Only ten years before, a church was erected 
for their special benefit, and principally with 
funds arising from the sale of some of their 
lands. Since that time, through the divine 
blessing, they have been gradually improving 
in the arts of civilization; and numbers of 


232 


THE HISTORY OF A 


them, we trust, have attained, and are attain- 
ing, that “knowledge which maketh wise 
imto salvation/’ The inimitable liturgy of 
the Church, faithfully translated into their na- 
tive tongue, has doubtless been a powerful 
auxiliary to their religious instruction. While 
it exhibits to their untutored minds the great 
truths of revelation, in plain and simple terms, 
while it unfolds the whole scheme of redemp- 
tion in a clear and connected manner, it gives 
them a part to perform in the solemn services 
of the sanctuary, and supplies them with lan- 
guage, pure, simple, and scriptural, with which 
to offer up their devotions to the throne of the 
Most High. 

Let those who deny that our Church has 
made ample provision for the spiritual instruc- 
tion and improvement of all her children, and 
let those, too, who doubt that a prescribed 
form of service is adapted to the circumstances 
of the heathen, visit the Oneidas in their house 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


233 


of worship. Let them witness the profound 
humility with which the confessions are made , 
the deep reverence, the fixed attention, with 
which they listen to the Sacred Scriptures; 
the fervour and devotion with which the pray- 
ers are responded, and the hymns of praise 
chanted forth, by the united voices of the con- 
gregation. Here they may see a practical 
proof of the efficacy of our forms and ordi- 
nances, in instructing and enlightening the 
most ignorant and savage tribes ; and they 
may also see that our liturgy is admirably 
suited to all classes and conditions of men, 
when they meet for public prayers and praises. 
Here, too, they may see that our church is not 
unmindful of her duty to the heathen ; that 
she is ever ready to extend to them her own 
invaluable privileges and blessings, as oppor- 
tunities offer, and means are given. And 
while we conceive that the first duty of Chris- 
tians is to make provision for those who are 
20 * 


234 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 

of the same household of faith/’ their next 
duty undoubtedly is to provide for the spirit- 
ual wants of the heathen at home. And it 
becomes more imperatively our duty, to do all 
in our power to promote the temporal and 
eternal welfare of the Indians among us, from 
the consideration of the numberless wrongs 
which they have received at our hands ; and 
from the mournful reflection, too, that they 
are fast fading from the land, and that ere 
long reparation will be impossible ; for, like 
their own native forests, they will have passed 
away. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


Oneidas at Green Bay. — Prayer Book’s extensive travels. 
— Interesting statistics of the Church. — Tour through 
the Southern and South-western States. — Bishop of 
Tennessee. — Interesting anecdotes of him, and of the 
Bishop of North Carolina. 

A FEW years after my visit to the Oneida 
Indians, as related in the last chapter, about 
eleven hundred of the tribe, including all those 
who belonged to the Episcopal Church, re- 
moved to the Wisconsin Territory, and settled 
on their lands at Duck Creek, in the vicinity 
of Green Bay. Their faithful missionary and 
his family soon followed them, and he is now 
labouring among them with his customary 
zeal. It so happened, that I had an oppor- 
tunity of spending some days within a few 
miles of this their new location, of seeing se- 
veral of the chiefs of their nation, and of 
235 


236 


THE HISTORY OF A 


hearing from them of their improvement in the 
arts of civilized life, and their advancement in 
the Christian religion ; of all which I shall 
presently give an account to my readers. 

I had been the property of my present mas- 
ter about ten years, when he accepted of an 
agency in the church, which required him to 
resign his pastoral charge, and to travel 
through a large portion of our country. As I 
was his constant companion, I had an oppor- 
tunity which very few enjoy, of witnessing 
the growth and prosperity of the Church in 
every part of our land. And while we saw 
much, very much, that called for our grati- 
tude and praise, we were frequently led to 
mourn over the apathy of Episcopalians, in 
not putting forth greater efforts for the exten- 
sion of our beloved Zion, especially in our 
new states and territories. Wherever we 
went, we saw fields white unto the harvest, 
but no labourers to put in the sickle and reap; 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


237 


and often did my master exclaim. Oh ! that the 
members of our communion could witness the 
spiritual destitution of those who are of the 
^‘same household of faith;” how fervently 
would they then pray the Lord of the har- 
vest, to send forth labourers into his harvest !” 

As a proof of the rapid extension of the 
Church in the United States, I mention the fol- 
lowing facts, gathered from authentic docu- 
ments. In the year 1792, eight years after 
the consecration of our first Bishop, there were 
but one hundred and ninety-three Episcopal 
clergymen in all our states and territories, in- 
cluding the five Bishops, who were then liv- 
ing. In 1820, there were three hundred and 
thirty-one ; having increased only one hundred 
and thirty-eight, in a period of twenty-eight 
years. In 1832, there were five hundred and 
sixty-four, including twelve Bishops ; in 1842, 
there were eleven hundred and forty-five, with 
twenty-one Bishops ; and now, 1850, there are 


238 


THE HISTORY OF A 


twenty-eight dioceses, thirty-two Bishops, and 
one thousand five hundred and twenty-one 
priests and deacons. These are interesting 
facts, and well calculated to cheer and animate 
the hearts of those who love the ways of our 
Zion. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem ; 
they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be 
within thy walls, and plenteousness within thy 
palaces. For my brethren and companions’ 
sakes, I will wish thee prosperity. Yea, be- 
cause of the house of the Lord our God, I will 
seek to do thee good.” 

My master’s first official tour was through 
the southern and south-western states. It 
would occupy too much space, in a history 
like this, to relate the many incidents that oc- 
curred on this extensive journey, which we 
were about three months in performing. In 
most of the large cities through which we 
passed, on the Atlantic coast, we found the 
Church in a highly prosperous state ; but in 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


239 


the south-western portion of our country, it 
languishes for want of more Episcopal su- 
pervision. We had the pleasure of meeting 
several times, in our tour, with the Bishop of 
Tennessee, who had been making an official 
visit to the scattered congregations in that ex- 
tensive region. In naming this excellent 
prelate, an anecdote is brought to mind, which 
so forcibly illustrates the value of a single 
Prayer Book, that I shall here place it on re- 
cord. It was related at a meeting in behalf 
of a Prayer Book Society, where my master 
was present; and I am sure my readers will 
thank me for giving it to them in the speaker’s 
own words. 

Most interesting anecdotes of the accept- 
ableness of the Prayer Book,” said the right 
reverend speaker, ^^and of its great useful- 
ness in turning sinners to righteousness, have 
been often related. The country is full of them. 
I could occupy much time in showing how 


240 


THE HISTORY OF A 


powerful it has been, through grace, in ex- 
tending the borders of the Redeemer’s king- 
dom, and in building men up in our most holy 
faith. I will content myself with two, but 
those very remarkable instances. A clergy- 
man, of distinguished intelligence and benevo- 
lence, was travelling some years ago in a 
region remote from the strongholds of the 
Church ; detained at a country place by an ac- 
cident which happened to his carriage, he met 
with an interesting boy, with whom he was so 
much pleased, that on parting from him in the 
morning, he gave him a Prayer Book. There 
was then no acquaintance with the Church on 
the part of him or any of his family ; perhaps 
not even among their neighbours. I have no 
time to trace his subsequent career, nor do I 
know when the influence first exerted itself on 
his mind, nor what its process was in his 
heart. But I know that that hoy is now the 
Bishop of North Carolina. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


241 


A young man, a graduate of one of our 
southern colleges, was elected to a tutorship. 
As tutor, it was his duty to conduct the morn- 
ing devotions of the chapel. He was not then 
a religious man. As he himself told me, he 
did not know how to pray. It was a most 
irksome, and it must he feared, an unprofita- 
ble task. A friend had compassion on him, 
and gave him a Prayer Book. It was the 
first that he had ever seen, and it rendered 
that easy which before was difficult and unsa- 
tisfactory. I know not how long after this it 
was that he attached himself to the Episcopal 
Church. But I know that that young man is 
now the Bishop of Tennessee.” 

These are most encouraging facts, to those 
who are engaged in the gratuitous distribution 
of the Book of Common Prayer ; and to them 
may be addressed the emphatic exhortation of 
the wise man, In the morning sow thy seed, 

and in the evening withhold not thine hand ; 

21 


242 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, 
either this or that or whether they both shall 
be alike good.’’ 


CHAPTER XX. 


Tour through the great Lakes to the Wisconsin Terri- 
tory. — Diocese of New York; its rapid growth. — De- 
troit; prosperity of the Church there. — ^Mackinac; 
lay reading by an Officer of the Fort. — Green Bay 
Mission School. — Oneida Indians at Duck Creek. — 
Their zeal and liberality. — Bishop of Michigan’s visit 
to them. — The Prayer Book finishes its travels, and 
settles quietly down in a parish. 

Soon after my master’s return from his 
southern journey, he had occasion to make 
the tour of the upper lakes, for the purpose of 
visiting some of our missionary stations in the 
Wisconsin Territory; and I was again his 
companion in his travels. We left home in 
the month of July, 1836, for the far west,” 
and travelled leisurely through the state of 
New York; as my master found it necessary 
to officiate in most of the principal towns on 

our route. I shall not attempt a description 

243 


244 


THE HISTORY OF A 


of the beautiful country through which we 
rode, nor of the interesting voyage across 
those mighty inland seas, which form the 
northern boundary of our country. An ac- 
count of all that we saw and heard, would 
fill many such volumes as this. That which 
most gratified my master, was the evidence 
of the rapid increase and healthful prosperity 
of the Church, every where so apparent ; but 
in no portion of our country so much so, as in 
Western New York; for he remembered to 
have heard the late venerable Bishop of Vir- 
ginia say, that when he was ordained deacon 
in the city of New York, he was the sixth or 
seventh clergyman in the diocese ; a diocese, 
or rather two dioceses, which now number 
more than three hundred and fifty clergymen ; 
nearly one-fourth part of the whole number in 
the United States. And this unparalleled in- 
crease is manifestly owing, under God, to their 
diocesan missionary efforts. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


245 


But to return to our journey ; passing 
through Western New York, by the usual 
stage route, we stopped a single day to view 
the stupendous falls of Niagara, that sublimest 
of all earthly scenes, and then took passage 
at Buffalo in a steamer for Detroit. Here we 
were detained several days, waiting for a boat 
to take us to the upper lakes. We had thus 
an opportunity of gathering some interesting 
facts in relation to the church in that city. 
Only thirteen years before, the church was- 
organized ; and until within three or four 
years, it remained under the patronage of the 
General Missionary Society. For a long time, 
the congregation, being without a pastor, was 
not only kept together, but actually increased, 
by lay reading. The year we visited it, they 
contributed more than a thousand dollars to- 
wards the support of missions; thus paying 
back, with large increase, the funds which 

they formerly drew from the missionary trea- 
21 ^ 


246 


THE HISTORY OF A 


sury. Their present prosperity is a striking 
proof how much good may be accomplished, 
by fostering the infant churches in our new 
settlements. 

Leaving Detroit, and passing up the Detroit 
river, across the little lake St. Clair, we entered 
the mighty Huron. Our first considerable 
stopping place was at the beautiful island of 
Mackinac, midway between lakes Huron and 
Michigan. Here we found a few Episcopa- 
lians, who had long been in the habit of meet- 
ing together every Lord’s day, when one of 
the officers of the garrison read for them the 
daily service and a sermon. It was delightful 
to see this pious soldier gathering his compa- 
nions in arms around him, in the performance 
of the public duties of devotion. Before we 
left, he sent to my master a sum of money 
which he desired might be appropriated to the 
spread of the gospel. Thus, as it was with 
good Cornelius the Roman soldier, we trust 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


247 


not only his prayers, but his alms, came up 
as a memorial before God.” 

In a day or two after leaving Mackinac, we 
reached the mission school at Green Bay; 
where we remained about two weeks. Here 
we found seventy Indian children, between 
five and fifteen years of age ; the greater part 
of whom were Menomenees and Oneidas. It 
was most gratifying to witness the improve- 
ment which they had made in the knowledge 
of divine things, and in human learning, under 
the faithful, zealous, and devoted superintend- 
ent and teachers, who first had charge of the 
school, as well as those to whom it was now 
entrusted. And it is painful to think, that 
after all the labour and expense bestowed 
upon this establishment, it has been broken 
up ; but the removal of the Indian tribes 
from that territory rendered this result una- 
voidable. 

While at Green Bay, my master was pro- 


248 


THE HISTORY OF A 


videntially prevented from visiting the mis- 
sionary station at Duck Creek, as he had in- 
tended, and was most anxious to do. He 
however received a visit from their excellent 
missionary, accompanied by three chiefs of the 
Oneida tribe, from whom he learned that their 
missionary establishment was in a flourishing 
condition; that there were eleven hundred 
souls belonging to the whole tribe of Oneidas 
at Duck Creek ; of whom, five hundred Ije- 
longed to the missionary parish, and eighty of 
these w^ere communicants ; that the tribe had 
made considerable advancement in civilization, 
and now cultivate their farms, and enjoy the 
comforts of settled domestic life. They ex- 
pressed a strong desire to have another edition 
of the Prayer Book printed for them in the 
Mohawk language, as the present one was 
nearly exhausted. They further stated to my 
master, that while destitute of a clergyman, 
which was for several years, one of their own 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


249 


tribe had officiated by a license from the Bishop 
of New York, as lay reader, and thus kept 
them from wandering into strange pastures ; 
that they had persevered, through much op- 
position and many discouragements, in ad- 
hering firmly to the Episcopal Church ; and 
they were resolved, by God’s help, to live 
and die within her bosom. As a proof of their 
zeal, it should be remarked that they defray 
one-half of the missionary’s salary, and pay 
one hundred dollars a year towards the support 
of a school for their children. The chiefs have 
made an appropriation of two thousand dollars 
for the erection of a church, and five hundred 
dollars for building a parsonage house. One 
of them also made a donation of two hundred 
dollars towards the purchase of a bell for the 
church ; and they have erected a school-house, 
at a cost of about three hundred dollars. The 
sale or exchange of some of their lands placed 
funds in their hands, a portion of which they 


250 


THE HISTORY OF A 


have thus set apart for the service of Almighty 
God.^ 

I cannot better conclude my account of this 
interesting people, than by giving the follow- 
ing statement from the Bishop of Michigan’s 
address to his diocese, in 1837 : 

I visited the Oneida mission station, under 
charge of the Rev. Mr. Davis, nine miles dis- 
tant from Green Bay. The morning after my 
arrival, I was waited upon and received by 
the vestry of the church, and the chiefs of the 
nation. At the time of service, they walked 
before me in perfect silence, until w’e reached 
the church, and then in the most polite and 
kind manner, welcomed me to the spot which 
they had selected for the tribe to worship the 
Lord. The building is made of hewn logs, 
with a neat vestry-room attached. On enter- 
ing the church, the whole congregation rose 


* Second Annual Report of the Board of Missions. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


251 


and chanted in their language, the ^ Te Deum.’ 
It is impossible for me to describe the feeling 
experienced on this occasion. I was com- 
pletely overpowered with the scene; and I 
could have freely shed tears of joy, thus to 
witness the inhabitants of the forest singing 
hymns of praise to God. The services were 
read in their own language, by their pastor. 
The responses were well made by the whole 
congregation. I preached to them through 
an interpreter ; after which I confirmed fifty- 
four persons, several of whom were past three 
score years. I also administered the commu- 
nion to about seventy persons. Seldom, if 
ever, have I seen more apparent devotion in 
any assembly of worshippers. Every one ap- 
peared to be entirely absorbed in the duties in 
which he was engaged. After the services 
had been finished, the utmost stillness prevailed 
for a few minutes. There was no haste mani- 
fested to escape from the house of God, as is 


252 


THE HISTORY OF A 


too often the case in some of our congrega- 
tions. Those who were in the pews nearest 
the chancel, then rose and came to me ; and 
one by one took me by the hand, and silently 
retired. This was done by the whole congre- 
gation, without the least confusion or noise. 
I most fervently invoked the blessing of God 
for each and for all ; and could not help ex- 
claiming again and again. What hath the Lord 
wrought ! What an evidence of the power of 
the gospel of Christ! After spending a short 
time with Mr. Davis and his family, I left ^ the 
nation,’ and returned to Green Bay. It is 
delightful to witness the interest and zeal 
manifested by the missionary and his wife, for 
the promotion of the religion of Jesus in the 
hearts of this interesting people. They are 
the only white persons among them, and of 
course must daily forego the pleasures of so- 
cial intercourse, and those comforts which they 
have been accustomed to enjoy with friends. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


253 


I trust they will be rewarded a thousand fold 
for their self-denying labours, and will be able 
to present many souls as their ^ joy and crown 
of rejoicing.’ ” 

Having accomplished the object which took 
him to Green Bay, my master went on board 
a steamboat, passed round Lake Michigan to 
Mackinac, and returned by the same route 
that he came ; nor did any thing occur in our 
journey home, which is deemed worthy of 
being recorded. I now occupy a quiet position 
on his study table, without any prospect of 
ever resuming my travels, or of witnessing 
any other than the ordinary events incident to 
an old-established parish. 


22 











CHAPTER XXI. 


The more the Liturgy is studied, the more it will be 
prized. — Testimony of the Rev. Adam Clarke. — The 
Prayer Book’s parting advice. — Concluding reflections. 

I MUST now bring my history to a close. 
Happy should I be, could I flatter myself that 
the story of my life had contributed, in any 
degree, to the pleasure or instruction of those 
who have given it a perusal. Perhaps it may 
have been instrumental in removing, or soften- 
ing down, some of the many prejudices which 
are entertained against the doctrines and wor- 
ship of our apostolic Church, by those who 
have never made her articles and liturgy the 
subject of serious examination. Perhaps it 
may have confirmed in others, a rational at- 
tachment already felt, for this form of sound 
words,’^ and this faith once delivered unto the 
saints.’’ 


255 


256 


THE HISTORY OF A 


In either case, my labour will not have been 
altogether in vain ; and I therein do rejoice, 
yea, and will rejoice.’^ 

Certain I am, that if persons would take a 
little more pains to instruct themselves in the 
nature of the Christian Church, and bring to 
the investigation an honest and good heart,’’ 
disposed to learn and embrace the truth for 
the love of it, the result would be a firm con- 
viction that no church in Christendom is more 
sound and scriptural in doctrine, more apos- 
tolic in ministry, more pure and primitive in 
worship, than the Protestant Episcopal Church 
in these United States ; for all of which she 
is mainly indebted, under God, to her truly 
evangelical liturgy; and ^^Wo to the declin- 
ing Church that hath no gospel liturgy !” 

From this exhaustless fountain, the thirsty 
soul may draw consolations, refreshing as the 
waters of Horeb to the weary and fainting Is- 
raelites. It only requires to be fully known. 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


257 


to be esteemed and loved. Those who have 
used it with such spiritual feelings and affec- 
tions as it is eminently calculated to inspire, 
will say of it, as did the celebrated Wesleyan 
Methodist, Dr. Adam Clarke, Next to the 
Bible, it is the book of my understanding and 
my heart.’’ What the pious Bishop Horne 
says of the Psalms, will happily apply to the 
services of our Church ; They suit mankind 
in all situations ; grateful as the manna which 
descended from above, and conformed itself to 
every palate. He who hath once tasted their 
excellencies, will desire to taste them again ; 
and he who tastes them oftenest will relish 
them the best.” 

In taking leave of my readers, I would earn- 
estly press upon them the duty of diligently 
improving all the means of grace which, in 
this land of gospel light, are so abundantly af- 
forded them. ^^Take heed that the light 

which is in you be not darkness. Learn duly 
‘ 22 * 


258 


THE HISTORY OF A 


to prize, and to profit by your privileges. 
Learn to pray with the heart, and pray with 
the understanding also. Keep your feet when 
ye repair to the house of God ; and offer not 
the sacrifice of fools ; but worship the Lord in 
the beauty of holiness. And remember ever, 
that in vain you have this holy book of prayer 
in your hands, or in your houses, if it maintain 
not, at the same time, its due place in your 
memories, your hearts, and affections.^’ 

It has been my fortune to pass through every 
variety of scene, which ever falls to the lot of 
man, in this his earthly pilgrimage ; and the 
experience of my whole life has convinced me 
that religion is the one only thing needful ; the 
one only object worthy the pursuit of a ra- 
tional and immortal soul. My character and 
situation have often led me, not only to the 
abodes of wretchedness and want, to the 
houses of mourning and affliction, but to the 
habitations also of the rich and powerful ; to the 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


259 


halls of mirth, and joy, and gladness. I have 
witnessed scenes of the deepest distress, and of 
as unalloyed felicity, as any thing terrestrial 
can be. I have been with the smiling infant, 
when its first days were consecrated to the 
Lord by baptism; and I have been by the 
death-bed of the aged pilgrim., bowed down 
with the infirmities, and cares, and sufferings, 
of four-score years. I have been with the 
blooming bride, where all was festivity and 
joy ; and I have been with the broken-hearted 
widow, when she and her fatherless children 
were weeping over the grave of him, who was 
their only earthly support and comfort. I have 
seen the young man in the summer of life, the 
joy of his parent’s heart, gradually wasting 
away under the slow and sure decay of a lin- 
gering consumption; and I have seen the 
strong man suddenly hurried out of the world, 
in the midst of life and health. I have been 
with the poor, despised beggar, when about 


260 


THE HISTORY OF A 


to exchange his sorrows and sufferings for a 
place of rest in Abraham’s bosom ; and I have 
seen the rich, and the great, and the power- 
ful, reluctantly bid adieu to their wealth, their 
greatness, and their power, with fearful appre- 
hensions of that undying wretchedness, which 
awaits those who have received their conso- 
lation in this world.” 

But into whatever scenes I have been 
thrown, this conviction has ever been brought 
home to my heart, that religion is the only 
true wisdom, and the only abiding happiness. 
She is the only support and consolation, when 
all other helps fail. In inexperienced youth, 
she is the best and safest guide ; in more ad- 
vanced years, she is the wisest counsellor and 
the truest friend ; and in old age, she alone can 
make the hoary head a crown of glory.” In 
affliction, she sustains and comforts the mourner, 
by teaching him not to sorrow as others who 
have no hope ; in prosperity, she gives a zest 


POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 


261 


to all the enjoyments of life by making them 
rational and innocent ; and in death, that last 
great change, which cometh alike to all, she 
dispels the dark, portentous cloud which hangs 
over the grave, and exhibits the tomb to the 
trembling soul, as the gate which opens upon 
the mansions of immortal felicity and glory. 
Of religion therefore alone may it emphati- 
cally be said, Her ways are ways of plea- 
santness, and all her paths are peace.’’ 

And whenever I hear the honest inquirer, 
who desires to make this religion his own, 
asking for the old paths, the good way, that 
he may walk therein, and find rest for his soul, 
I long to point him to that branch of the 
church catholic, in which it is my privilege to 
be an humble minister. I wish to say to him, in 
the beautiful and affecting language of another, 
not doubting that, after a fair trial, he will 
adopt it as his own; ^^For my own part, 
I have looked anxiously into the character and 


262 HISTORY OF A POCKET PRAYER BOOK. 

working of many systems of religion, and I 
trust that I know how to respect those who 
cannot see with my eyes ; but, after all my 
searchings, I find no church like the old one. 
I love the shade of the old vine, and the shel- 
ter of the old wall within which my fathers 
lived well and died happily. I cling to their 
prayers, their ordinances, their grave-stones, 
to their ‘ Lord, and faith, and baptism,’ to 
their ^Father and our Father, to their God 
and our God.’ It is delightful to me, in a 
shifting, fleeting, dying world, to find some- 
thing which lasts. And I trust, through God’s 
infinite grace, to be an humble, watchful, loving 
worshipper, in this holy, happy company of 
the Lord’s people, till I change the church on 
earth for the church in heaven.” 


THE END. 




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1 


ROBERT E. PETERSON, 

BOOKSELLER AND PUBLISHER, 

N. W. COR. OF FIFTH AND ARCH STREETS, 
PHILADELPHIA, 

Invites attention to the following valuable works just 
published : 

THE CHURCHMAN’S MANUAL, 

BY THE 

REV. BENJAMIN DORR, D. D., 

RECTOR OP CHRIST CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA, 

THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED. 

12mo., cloth, $1. 

The following are some of the notices of the preced- 
ing editions : 

I do not hesitate to say tnat it will fully sustain the 
title which it bears, and deserves to be in the hands 
of every Churchman. As a family book for the instruc- 
tion of Christian households in “ the principles of the 
doctrine of Christ” — as a parish and Sunday school li- 
brary book for the engagement and edification of the 


n 


young — as a tractate to be put into the hands of all who 
are inquiring for “ the truth as it is in Jesus” — as a guide 
to the Gospel in the Church,” so that all may read, so 
plain that all must understand it — thoroughly scriptural, 
< practical, spiritual, — 1 commend it to the widest circu- 
lation, and implore for it the blessing of the Lord. 

GEORGE W. DOANE, 

Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey. 


From the Sunday School Visitor. 

This excellent volume seems to unite all suffrages in 
its approval. Dr. Dorr has clearly shown in reference 
to the Protestant Episcopal Church that her doctrines are 
evangelical, her ministry apostolic, and her worship 
primitive and scriptural. The work before us is written 
in a truly Christian spirit. It can give offence to no one 
who feels a real desire to inquire after the truth as it is 
in Jesus. 


From the Utica Gospel Messenger. 

The prevailing excellence of Mr. Dorris manual con- 
sists, as we think, in the distinct and unequivocal manner 
in which his several subjects are presented. They are 
brought forward under the following divisions ; 

Doctrines of the Church , Ministry of the 
Church ; Worship op the Church ; With an appendix 
containing three chapters on Bowing at the name of 
Jesus ; on Christas descent into Hell ; on the word Ca- 
tholic^^ in the Creed, 

We say to our readers, get the book. Use it as a 
family volume, and let the young especially study and 
understand it. Every Churchman — ay, every one who 
desires to know what the Church is, should have one. 


ni 


Erom the Episcopal Recorder. 

It will be found a work of an interesting and useful 
character for those who are inquiring into the peculiar 
claims and characteristics of the Episcopal Church. It 
is compiled in a Christian and excellent temper. 


From the Protestant Episcopalian — by late Rev. J. W. James. 

Church people, and inquirers about our Zion, if they 
take this book and steadily peruse it, will find themselves 
frequently saying this is the very thing we wanted.’^ 
To embrace all these subjects in a book of its size, it 
was necessary to study condensation and brevity ; the 
author has done this and more : he has not indulged him- 
self in spinning theories, in rounding sentences ; but had 
evidently designed to explain and to instruct. 

It may be safely and profitably put into the hands of 
any whose hearts are just becoming sensible of religious 
duties. We should be very much pleased if we could 
present a copy to every acquaintance we have. 


From the Charleston Gospel Messenger. 

Among the many excellent books, which leave all 
without excuse who choose to continue in ignorance of 
our Church, we know of none more likely than this, to 
answer the end designed by its author of giving some 
such compendious views of the doctrines, ministry, and 
worship of the Church’^ as may be put into the hands 
of those who have neither time nor inclination to read 
voluminous works, that they may see at once what the 
Church has taught on these subjects. To such persons, 
and indeed to every one who would meet with the truth 
well expressed, and in few words, this manual may be 
warmly commended. 


IV 


THE HISTORY 

OF A 

POCKET PRAYER BOOK, 

WRITTEN BY ITSELF 

BY THE 

REV. BENJAMIN DORR, D. D., 

RECTOR OF CHRIST CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA, 

THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED. 

IGmo., cloth, 50 cts. 

The following notices are of preceding editions. 

From the Banner of the Cross — ^by Bp. Doane, under the name of 
“ A Country Parson.” 

In taking up this little volume, after several editions, 
now greatly enlarged and materially improved, we seem 
to be looking into the face of a dear old friend. We set 
out with him again on his eventful journey, in all con- 
fidence that he will bring us out at the right place, and 
well satisfied that if the road be longer than it was, we 
shall only have so much more of his pleasant and instruc- 
tive company. We really do not know a little volume 
so well fitted to go out with our missionaries into the 
new countries,’’ or to follow the faithful pastor in his 
daily round in any of our established parishes, urban or 
rural; and for young people — we have tried it on our 
own — it is scarcely less interesting, and a sight more 
profitable than Robinson Crusoe. It is a striking pecu- 


V 


liarity, and a strong recommendation of this little volume, 
that though woven together with a thin, a graceful thread 
of fiction, the staple is all facts — the characters, those of 
the author’s acquaintances, parishioners and friends , and 
the incidents mostly such as have really occurred in his 
own eventful pilgrimage. Such we know to have been, 
among many others, ‘^the Union Church” and the Lay 
reading,” the visits to the Oneida Indians, first in the 
State of New York, and then at Green Bay, and the con- 
versation with the good lady, who did not think she had 
such a naughty thing in her house as a book written by 
a Churchman, when nearly all the volumes in her 
library were such. The case of the Congregational 
minister, who found the Prayer Book just the thing” 
to furnish his extempore prayers, is familiar to all who 
have read Dr. Chandler’s interesting life of Dr. Johnson. 
To all who know anything of our domestic missions, the 
names of Davenport, Phelps, and “ Father Nash” will be 
as “ household words.” And many a time and oft have 
we sat delighted at the feet of that venerated mother in 
Israel, now with God, whose Saturday school (still 
flourishing in kindred hands and a kindred heart,) forms 
the charm of the fifteenth chapter. The author has en- 
joyed singular opportunities of acquaintance with the 
Church in all places and under all vicissitudes, and pos- 
sesses a happy talent for relating what he has seen and 
turning it to good account. Simplicity, earnestness and 
devotion are blended in his little book with good taste 
and sound practical sense. To many it will be instruc- 
tive, interesting to all. It deserves the widest circu- 
lation, and wherever it goes, will subserve the best inte- 
rests of truth and piety. 


VI 


THE PASTOR’S WIFE, 

OR 

MEMOIRS OF MRS. SHERMAN, 

OF SURREY, CHAPEL LONDON. 

EDITED BY 

HER HCTSBAND, THE REV. JAMES SHERMAN, 

PASTOR OF SURREY CHAPEL. 

WITH PORTRAIT, 

Second Edition — 12nio«, cloth, $1. 

This work is admitted by all who have read it to be 
the best biography ever written ; the following are a few 
of its many recommendations: 

From the (Philadelphia) Christian Observer. 

This is an interesting memoir of a Christian lady, 
whose life was a bright illustration of the hallowed influ- 
ences of the gospel in the culture and development of all 
that is lovely and of good report in female character. In 
the words of the Christian Witness — It is one of the 
most tender, beautiful, instructive, and edifying narra- 
tives, that for a long time has come under our notice. 


From the Episcopal Recorder. 

Few Christians will rise from the perusal of this inte- 
resting portrait of a Pastor’s Wife without uttering the 
wish that such mothers in Israel were increased a thou^ 
sand fold. 


VII 


From the Presbyterian. 

Her well sustained spirit in affliction and her triumph 
in death, illustrate the genuineness of the religious prin- 
ciples which were the main-spring of all her actions. 
We can commend the memoir as possessing more than 
usual interest, and as having intrinsic claims to the popu- 
larity it has already received. 


From the New York Evangelist. 

There is much instruction to be derived from the 
volume, and much powerful incentive to faith and reli- 
gious zeal. Mrs. S. visited Grafenberg and the water 
cure establishment there ; and the record of her journeys 
and experience is very ably made and remarkably inte- 
resting. We can commend the work to Christian women 
as highly suggestive, pleasing and profitable. 


From the Pennsylvania Inquirer. 

It contains a memoir of Mrs. Sherman, of Surrey Cha- 
pel, by her husband, and is said to form one of the most 
tender, beautiful, instructive and edifying narratives that 
ever appeared from the press. It indicates and displays 
all the virtues and graces of the Christian character. 

From the New York Literary World. 

It exhibits a career of activity in the duties connected 
with an English Dissenting Chapel, and is varied by a tour 
on the Continent through Germany in search of health, 
with a residence at Grafenberg The details of the latter 
establishment, with Priesnitz at its head, with the travel- 
ing incidents in Prussia, are of considerable interest; a 
representation of the Continent from a point of view not 
taken by ordinary tourists. 


VIII 


THE 

RELATION BETWEEN THE 

HOLT SCKIPTURES 

AND SOME PARTS OF 

GEOLOGICAL SCIENCE. 

BY 

REV. JOHN PYE SMITH, D. D., L. L.D., F. R. S., & F. G. S 
Divinity Tutor in the Protestant Dissenting College at 
Homerton, Member of the Philological, Ethno- 
logical, Microscopical, and Palaeontological 
Societies; and Honorary Member of 
the Natural History Society of De- 
von and Cornwall, and of the 
Washington, U. S., Na- 
tional Institute for 
the Promotion 
of Science. 

FROM THE FOURTH LONDON EDITION, GREATLY ENLARGED. 
Octavo cloth, $1,50. 


From the English Papers 

Devoted to the truths of revelation no less than to 
those of science, and regarding them both as proceeding 
from the same Divine source, he (the Author) will allow 
of no compromise, distortion or subterfuge, with respect 
to either . — Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 


IX 


It places the justly esteemed author in the very first 
rank of scientific and philosophical theologians, and has 
already procured the enrolment of his name among the 
members of two of the most learned societies in Great 
Britain . — Lancaster Guardian. 


THE 

NATIONAL COOK BOOK. 

BY A 

LADY OF PHILADELPHIA, 

A PRACTICAL HOUSEWIFE. 

12mo., 75 cts* 

This work contains almost exclusively American 
dishes. It is very rich in receipts for pastry, tea and 
sweet cakes and preserves. Great pains have been taken 
to make the receipts clear, concise, and practical, and it 
is confidently believed that the National Cook Book will 
supersede all others — and prove an invaluable assistant to 
all housekeepers. 

ROBERT E. PETERSON also invites attention 
to his very large stock of THEOLOGICAL, CLASSI- 
CAL, SCHOOL, AND MISCELLANEOUS BOOKS, 
both new and second-hand. All of which he sells at 
very low prices. 

A Catalogue sent to all who request it by letter pre- 
paid. 


V . T 


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